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Where’s The Joy of Christmas?

Joy is a Rare Commodity!
Most people have lost it altogether! With every news report filled with hatred and violence, and shootings and protestors, political speak and natural disasters, how’s it possible for anyone to be filled with joy today?

But then there’s Christmas!!! This precious time that lifts our hearts in the worst of times. In the midst of a WWI battle, German and American soldiers gathered and began singing Christmas carols together with their enemies . . . because it was Christmas!

How is this possible?
Celebrating the birth of the Savior of the World transcends whatever turmoil rages in the heart of man. Except for a reprobate mind, Christmas fills every human heart with a desire for the love, joy and peace . . . that only comes by acknowledging the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ as God’s entrance into Eternal Life. There is no other explanation!

‘Tis the Season!
Andy Williams version of “It’s the most, wonderful time of the year” has an added message for every Christian. This is the most wonderful time of the year to move everyone, every day, closer to Jesus. The sights and sounds of Christmas permeate everything we see and hear. Every nonbeliever is thinking more about God, right now, than at any other time of the year.

Eighty percent of our population is living outside the Church, separated from God and desperate for the love, joy, and peace of Christmas. Now is the time to let your light shine! Allowing God to love the hurting and lost through you will never bear more fruit than during these days leading up to Christmas.

How Can God Love People thru You this Christmas?
This is where the fun begins! Make it your highest priority to bring the ‘Joy of Christmas’ into the life of every person you’re with between now and Christmas. Jesus said, they’ll know you’re His disciple by your love . . . and almost everyone around you is desperate for God’s love right now!

It’s especially fun to love the unloving, giving people the same grace that God has given you. The smallest acts of kindness move people closer to Jesus. Forgiving people for wrongs they’ve committed is a gift from God. Even inexpensive gifts have massive impact when they’re undeserved and unexpected. And gifts of food or money to buy food for Christmas can change a family’s life. Here’s the clincher: When they ask why, simply say “It’s God loving you through me”. That’s thought provoking!

The gift of your personal time and concern can generate even more dramatic results. Watching for those who are hurting (they’re all around you) this Christmas season and taking your time to love on them and pray for them will change their lives forever! That’s priceless!

At the very least, invite your unbelieving friends to a Christmas service. Most nonbelievers want to attend a Christmas service and will accept the first invite. While one service rarely gets people saved, it will always move them in the right direction and open the door for God-Centered conversations from that time on.

Here’s the Joy of Christmas!
Making unbelievers your highest priority this Christmas season will become the highlight of your Christmas season . . . and the model for experiencing joy every day of your life, for the rest of your life, guaranteed by God’s incredible promise found in John 15:11: When you bear fruit (lead people to Jesus) . . . My Joy will remain with you and your joy will remain full!

Reference Quotes and Scriptures:

“All the Christmas ‘presents’ in the world are worth nothing without the ‘presence’ of Christ.”
David Jeremiah

“You can never truly enjoy Christmas until you can look into the Father’s face and tell Him you have received His Christmas gift.”
John R. Rice

I bring you good news of ‘Great Joy’ that will be for all people.
Luke 2:10

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly Hosts, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth Peace, Goodwill toward men”.
Luke 2:13

For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
John 3:17

Now may the God of Hope Fill you with all Joy and Peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the Power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13

And you shall be my witnesses to the uttermost part of the earth.
Acts 1:8