If Christmas is about joy, what is the SOURCE of that joy?  If the traditional western accouterments surrounding the holiday are snatched away do you still experience joy?

I have landed face to face with this hard question this Christmas because my family is facing the impending death of my grandmother.  She has been sick for a long time, she has been in the hospital for the last couple of weeks and will soon be released to hospice in a couple of days.  She is not too alert and in a ton of pain.  Needless to say, its difficult to be joyful in times like these.

However, I think that, given the situation, we need Christmas more than ever.  We need Jesus and we need NOT to allow the pain and sadness of this situation to overshadow the truth that,

“unto us a child is born and unto us a son is given,”

It is precisely because of this child born so long ago whom we celebrate on Christmas that we have HOPE in this desperate time.  The right thing to do is to make a choice to allow our minds to be renewed, taking our thoughts captive and making them obedient unto Christ, the author, perfecter and finisher of our faith who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, so that we could be called children of the Most High.

This child who we speak of, and sing of, and read of, who was born to us this day in the City of David a Savior who is Christ the King, the Son of God, the Lamb who takes away sins and offers forgiveness to all who believe.

This Christ, for the JOY set before him endured the cross.  I think that now more than ever I need to keep that in mind.  Jesus knew a JOY would come that would be WORTH all the pain and suffering he endured.  Jesus KNOWS the pain my grandmother is experiencing and he felt that on the cross more than I will ever know… for the JOY set before him.  So I believe its safe to say that my grandmother, and all believers who are facing the end of their life, can rest assured that there will be JOY on the other side. A JOY that led Jesus to die a criminal’s death on a cross.  A JOY we wont fully know until we pass from this life to the next and experience it fully in the presence of Jesus.

So this Christmas, even through there has been and will be sadness, mourning and tears, may Almighty God give my family and I strength to know HIS JOY the JOY of the Son of God, the JOY of Jesus whom we celebrate during this season.  The giver of JOY everlasting.  And may that JOY bring comfort in Jesus Name.

God rest ye merry, gentlemen Let nothing you dismay Remember, Christ, our Saviour Was born on Christmas day
To save us all from Satan’s power When we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy

In Bethlehem, in Israel, This blessed Babe was born And laid within a manger Upon this blessed morn
The which His Mother Mary Did nothing take in scorn
O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy

From God our Heavenly Father A blessed Angel came; And unto certain Shepherds Brought tidings of the same:
How that in Bethlehem was born The Son of God by Name.
O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy

“Fear not then,” said the Angel, “Let nothing you affright, This day is born a Saviour Of a pure Virgin bright,
To free all those who trust in Him From Satan’s power and might.”
O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy

The shepherds at those tidings Rejoiced much in mind, And left their flocks a-feeding In tempest, storm and wind:
And went to Bethlehem straightway The Son of God to find.
O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy

And when they came to Bethlehem Where our dear Saviour lay, They found Him in a manger, Where oxen feed on hay;
His Mother Mary kneeling down, Unto the Lord did pray.
O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy

Now to the Lord sing praises, All you within this place, And with true love and brotherhood Each other now embrace;
This holy tide of Christmas All other doth deface.
O tidings of comfort and joy, Comfort and joy O tidings of comfort and joy