12/15/13

Joy of Christmas: Day Fifteen

Christmas is so much more than presents, trees, lights, and childhood.

We would all agree that Christmas is about Christ. Yet, we only focus our study on a small part of who Christ is during this Christmas season. We only talk about mangers, starts, angels, and a baby. He is so much more than that! We sing about and talk about the joy that comes with the Christmas story. But why is it so joyful that Christ was born?

Inspired by the Jesse Tree Advent book**, I am going to do a 25-Day series focusing on

finding joy in Christ! Click here for more info.

Joy of Christmas: Day Fifteen

Prince of Peace

We think that Jesus will "one day" bring peace and harmony. That "one day" He will Return a Second Time and then we will have "peace on earth." Yes. That is true. Christ will return. When He does, He will bring all things under His reign and establish everlasting peace and joy.

The here and now is what Christmas is about. Christ came to bring peace and joy even today!

Phil. 4:6-7 says " Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

John 15:10-11 " If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full."

Jesus came so that we can have peace and joy even now! We do need to wait until heaven to have perfect peace. We can have a calm assurance, no matter our circumstances, that God is with us. We do need to wait until Christ's Return to have joy. Jesus promised that as we live a life of abiding, we will have perfect joy!

It may sound trite. It may sound "too good to be true." I can give testimony that this is true. In my own life, as the winds of a trial surrounded me, living in God's presence and focusing my heart and mind on Him allowed me to experience joy and peace. A friend lost her tiny, 11-week-old baby boy last week. She is testimony that amid this most horrible thing - God can provide peace and joy. It truly is unexplainable. It truly is not from this world. Jesus brings it. Rest in Him. Abide in Him.

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