Joy in the In-Between - Devotion 5

Sharing the Joy 

Have you ever seen the show, “Property Brothers”? It is a show on HGTV where a someone buys an old house to fix up. There are always problems during the demolition of the house for the renovations. There is stress and struggle because they are just not sure how it is going to turn out. After a certain point, the couple is told to stay away because the project is going to run its course, and they will be called to come back when it is all done. Without fail, the couple is amazed, and there is a ton of drama. They respond with emotion and elation as they look at all of the details that the brothers (the hosts of the show) have given them. They sing the praises of it all. 

This (times a million!) is what the shepherds did after meeting Jesus. Let us read again what the shepherds did after meeting the baby Jesus. Luke 2:17-20 records, “And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” 

I do not think even those words completely describe what the shepherds testified to as they went back to their “normal” lives that would never be the same. They had met Jesus, their Messiah, and they would tell of Him forever. 

We respond to things like that. When we get a new phone, car, house, or get to go on a trip, or talk about a trip we loved, we tell everyone we can about it because we are excited about it. In some way, we feel it has changed our life for the better. We revel in things, relationships, people, jobs, and finances, but have we ever found real joy? 

Perhaps after almost two thousand years of publicity about Jesus, we take the amazing involvement of God with us for granted. The world around us rarely takes the time to really look and see what Jesus is all about. Usually, at Christmas it never gets past the story about the baby Jesus, if it even gets there in the first place. 

Here is the question for you today: Do you? 

You cannot share joy from Jesus if you do not have it yourself. In the middle of this Christmas season, have you gotten to the real joy that has come, or are you simply paying lip service to Jesus as the baby in a nativity scene in your house? 

Every single person in the account of Jesus’ birth received a new revelation of who God is, and they were filled with joy! They were filled with worship and awe. The more that we come to church gatherings, to Christmas parties, and even to devotionals about Jesus while taking it all for granted results in a numbness to the joy found in Jesus. We must never take for granted or forget who this baby in the manger really is and who Jesus still is. He is the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the Messiah, our Redeemer and Savior! 

So, what is your response to Jesus? Do you see the incarnation and are blown away? Has your response to Jesus become stale, bland, and routine? Is your worship not really worship anymore? 

Joy is found as you focus on Jesus. As you marvel at who He is and what He has done. This is a time to come to the manger, bow down, and worship. Joy, true joy, is only found by coming to our God, bowing down, and worshiping Him. 

Emmanuel has come. Joy has come. Worship Him this Christmas and share the joy you have found.