The Virus Invasion
You Can Take Away All the Christmas Gatherings, but You Can't Take Away the Joy of Christmas.
When I went to church on December 15, little did I know I wouldn’t be back until the new year. Somewhere, somehow, a mysterious virus invaded my system and settled in for a long stay.
I had to forego all the usual traditions; Christmas concerts, Christmas Eve services, and gatherings with friends and family.
On December 15, Pastor Steve gave a sermon on the topic of Joy. I reread the notes yesterday, thinking how that resonated with this year’s Christmas experience.
Here’s a few notes from that Sunday sermon:
Joy is a decision and attitude God’s people adopt, not because of happy circumstances.
Hold onto the promise of Joy. “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NLT
Celebrate when Joy arrives. “Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.” Romans 12:15 NLT
Cling to Joy when the future looks tough. “Mary responded, ‘Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Luke 1:46-47 NLT
We’ve been given great joy. Live it out in a joyless world. “I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow.” John 15:11
One more scripture: “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Proverbs 17:22 NLT
As one who has placed my trust in Jesus, I was able to celebrate the “Reason for the Season” with or without festivities. I felt His presence.
“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me, even the darkness will not be dark to you, the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. For you created my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 139:7-14
Karen, I hope you're feeling stronger today and that even the writing of your story gave you encouragement. And, thank God, nothing and no one can steal our joy in Him. Be gentle and kind to yourself, friend ...