“… I bring you good news of great joy…”
— Luke 2:10
The first Christmas brought us wonderful news, and it supplied us the opportunity to have a great and everlasting joy.
We clearly see in the first Christmas the source of their joy. The shepherds received a word from God. Then they decided to go to Bethlehem to search for the savior. And there, in a manger, they found the baby. They found Jesus. They found the savior. That is when they were filled with joy. We will not find true, lasting joy at the mall or on busy streets. The joy of the season still resides in God’s first great gift of Christmas.
You matter to God. A savior was born for you that night. I pray that this Christmas day finds us all with joyful and thankful hearts.
Talking about a Christmas prayer, I wanted to send you this prayer written many years ago by Robert Lewis Stevenson. I thought you might enjoy reading and using it.
Loving God, help us to remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds and the worship of the wise men.
Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil by the blessing which Christ brings, and teach us to be joyful with clear hearts.
May the Christmas morning make us happy to be your children, and the Christmas evening bring us to our beds with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake.
Amen.
If you have never opened this gift of a savior, do it today. Contact one of our ministers. They would love to talk to you and help you receive the true joy of Christmas.