All I Want For Christmas Is ... Joy

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS ... JOY

"But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people" (Luke 2:10).

There are so many good reasons for us to be afraid in the world at the moment, and there are so many things that are out there just waiting to steal our joy. But here are three good reasons for Christmas joy this year.

1. THE GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY IS THAT THE MESSIAH HAS COME AT ALL!

"As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy" (Luke 1:44).

Jesus didn’t have to come to earth, He wanted to.

And this is good news for us today because behind it is the true message of Christmas? And the message of Christmas is this - - You really matter to God – a lot. You really do. You matter to God so much that He sent Jesus Christ to earth to let you know it.

This is good news also because it shows us that God is a gift giver and he wants you to be like him. You see, not only do you really matter to God, but you have never locked eyes with a person who doesn’t matter to God. Each one is special. Regardless of race, income, gender, education, religion – each one really really matters to God - – so they better matter to you and me as well.

2. THE GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY IS THAT THE MESSIAH HAS COME TO SAVE.

"Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10-11).

Jesus was born into the world that first Christmas as our Saviour – to be saved you must let Jesus be born into your life. And this is not just for forgiveness for the past, but for freedom from things that bog you down in the present and also for fulfillment in the future.

Is there an area of your life where Jesus needs to be born? If you want true Christmas joy, then maybe now is the time to let Jesus be born into that area of your life that you’ve been holding back from him.

Let Jesus be born in your work. Let Jesus be born in your family, in your marriage, in your neighbourhood, in your school. In your conversation, in your investments, in your thoughts, in your actions, in your shopping, in your washing up/chores, in your leisure, in your TV and web use, in your reading, in your sport.

Jesus said, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28)

If you want a little Christmas joy, then let Jesus be born in your life today.

3. THE GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY IS THAT THE MESSIAH HAS COME FOR ALL.

In Matthew’s record of the birth of Christ he tells us that when the Magi saw the star over the place where the child was, they were overjoyed, and they went to see the child.

"When they saw the star, they were overjoyed ... they saw the child" (Matthew 2:10-11).

So along with the poor, unclean, uneducated, Jewish shepherds came the the rich, intelligent, Persian (non-Jewish), Magi also. You couldn’t get two different levels of society. So the good news is that Christmas is for everyone – it’s a time for getting together with people despite our differences.

That first Christmas the angels also announced, “Peace on earth to men on whom his favour rests.”

God wants you to have good relationships with other people as well as with him.

Christmas is a time for reconciliation. It’s a time to break down barriers, build bridges, restore relationships that have been