Skip to main content

Joy to the World!


C.S. Lewis wrote that joy is the 'serious business of heaven'.

Could there be anything more joyous for us than Christ's coming into the world to procure redemption for mankind?

The promise of His coming is found right at the outset of the Old Testament (Genesis 3:15). He would come to crush the head of Satan and that is precisely what He did on the cross:

  ...having cancelled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. 
Colossians 2:14-15 (NIV)

No wonder the angel proclaimed this message to the shepherds in Bethlehem that night:

 Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord!
Luke 2:10-11 (NKJV)

 The people were to rejoice in the birth of the Messiah! The whole problem of sin, which to this day has metastasized like cancer in the human race, would be atoned for once and for all by the Christ who was wrapped in swaddling clothes and found lying in a manger!

Isaac Watts' magnificent carol expresses this theme of joy!   

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her king;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

In the video below, Bible teacher Christine Darg examines the timing of the Saviour's birth. While she is not dogmatic, she proposes that Christ was born during the Feast of the Tabernacles, the Jewish feast of joy. Please take time to watch!

Have a joyful Christmas!



Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Mystery that is Macedonia

When I first came to Macedonia on a visit in 2001, I found this little country so intriguing and breathtakingly beautiful that I happily accepted the invitation to return for a longer period. That ‘longer period’ has now extended itself to several years during which I have had many enriching, memorable experiences. I thought it might be interesting to jot down a few observations about the difference in culture. I appeal to my Macedonian readers not to misunderstand my intentions. What I have observed are customs and habits which are as normal to you as breathing and sleeping, but to someone from an entirely different culture, they are both interesting and noteworthy. It is always thrilling for me to explore how various nations function and it is nothing short of a privilege to experience a foreign culture first-hand. Hospitality Macedonians are a friendly, hospitable people. I do not know how many times they have almost literally killed me with kindness. Indeed, I have often...
8 comments
Read more

Is Belief In God Blind Faith?

Stephen Hawking famously said: There is no heaven or afterlife for broken-down computers; that is a fairy story for people afraid of the dark. Comparing the human brain to a computer, he firmly declared his atheistic stance. Dr John Lennox’s reply to this statement turned it on its head: Atheism is a fairy story for people afraid of the light! Who has the correct perception? Are we just living in a sphere of darkness without God or can we find evidence for God’s light and creatorial power? Evidence for God’s existence The order and design of creation. This is the most compelling sign in my opinion. I cannot look at the beauty and detail of creation without marvelling at the Creator. In the 1980s theoretical biologist, Dr Hans Meinhardt, began to wonder how the beautiful patterns of shells formed. As he researched, he discovered that the rules which govern the formation of the patterns in nature such as leaf arrangements, sand dunes and snowflakes, were the s...
Post a Comment
Read more

Spring Glory

  Biblical Thoughts Inspired by Nature Wildflowers Life is short Spring is undoubtedly the most beautiful and most colourful season in Cyprus. Bright blooms appear in unexpected places throughout the island, for example, on the uncultivated land in Paphos Archaeological Park pictured above. The flowers appear in season, but it is not long until their glory fades and they wither away. Such is the human story; the gift of the longest life on earth is only a drop in eternity’s ocean! So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12, NKJV) Paphos Lighthouse God is sovereign The brilliant blue sky in Cyprus is most welcome after an unusually prolonged winter of grey and cloudy skies. Looking heavenwards inspires thoughts of God’s majesty and sovereignty. His realm is open and receptive to our prayers as we seek His guidance for our spiritual path.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts tha...
Post a Comment
Read more