Your Daily Devotional for December 20, 2007

 

December 20,  2007

 

 

Sustaining the Joy of Christmas

by Dr. Paul Chappell

 

 

"Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy."

 

Luke 2:10

 

 

A ship arriving in New York from Rio de Janeiro brought with it a pair of canaries. The birds were both fine singers, not only in the quality of their voices, but also in the range of their notes. Interestingly, the distinguishing characteristic of these songbirds was that they always sang at night.  The Lord has many such canaries. It is the distinguishing characteristic of the genuine Christian that in the darkest night of trial, he is able to sing songs of hope, courage, and victory. The most effective testimony the Christian ever gives to the worth of his Christianity is his songs in the night seasons.

 

For many people the Christmas holidays are a time of family and fun memories. For others, the holidays bring back past regrets, unhappy relationships, and loneliness. No matter what your circumstances are this season, it is possible to rise above the dark nights of trial and experience sustained joy during Christmas and throughout the new year.

 

One way you can rise above difficult circumstances and experience sustained joy this season is through serving others. Paul says in Philippians 2:14–17, "Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all." Paul realized that when a Christian turns his attention away from his own problems and focuses on the needs of others, he experiences true joy.

 

Another way to experience sustained joy this season is through witnessing. The holidays give families a rare opportunity to reunite with loved ones. What better gift could you give your relatives than the Lord Jesus Christ? Psalms 126:6 states, "He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him."

 

Friend, are you experiencing true joy this holiday season? Are you sustaining your joy amidst the rush of last minute Christmas shopping and gift-wrapping? Remember that the joy of Christmas outlasts the final present or the last piece of pie—especially when we are investing in the lives of others through serving and witnessing.

 

Daily Bible Reading

Micah 1-3 • Revelation 11

 

---

================================================
THIS IS AN AUTOMATED MESSAGE PLEASE DO NOT REPLY
================================================
Manage your online subscriptions at
http://www.dailyintheword.org/email/user-login.aspx

To Unsubscribe from this list please follow this link
http://www.dailyintheword.org/email/user-unsubscribe.aspx?s=4159&l=1