Unexpected Joy

            Have you had your Joy Juice today?  Drink up and get your heart prepared for a joyful Christmas season!

            The entire month of December we’re going to be looking for examples of joy found in the Christmas story….some are obvious, some are not. 

            Today let’s look John’s parents….Zechariah and Elizabeth…for an example of unexpected joy.  The scripture describes this couple (in Luke) as being upright in the sight of God.

            My Bible commentary explains:“Zechariah was told before anyone else that God was setting in motion his own visit to earth.  Zechariah and Elizabeth were known for their personal holiness.  They were well suited to doing a special work for God.  But they shared the pain of not having children, and in Jewish culture this was considered not having God’s blessing. They were both old and had almost given up hope.”

            One day, when Zechariah was on duty as priest at the temple, he was chosen to enter the “Holy Place” and burn incense.  Incense was burned in the temple so that when the people saw the smoke, they were reminded to pray. 

            While in the Holy Place, an angel appeared to Zechariah and told him the UNEXPECTED but JOYful news! He and Elizabeth would have a son.    “He will be a joy and delight to you and many will rejoice because of his birth…” said the angel in Luke 1:14.

            May we find the unexpected joy in every aspect of this Christmas. 

Mary's Joyful Servant's Heart

    Have you had your Joy Juice today?  Drinking your Christmas Joy Juice will put a song in your heart!

            An exciting part of the Christmas story is in Luke when Mary went to visit Elizabeth. As soon as they exchanged greetings, the baby in Elizabeth’s womb—JOHN—jumped with joy.  Elizabeth knew through the Holy Spirit’s revelation that the baby Mary was carrying was, indeed, the Messiah!  Let’s not miss the significance of these two women and these two babies, their relationship and how God chose to use them.

            John was the God-appointed messenger to announce the arrival of Jesus.  He knew he had been created for a special role---to tell about Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah!

            As Christmas approaches, this would be such a perfect time to seek the Lord’s purpose for each of our lives.  We’re not all meant to be a John…or a Mary or Elizabeth.  But we ARE all called to His purpose. Do you remember Mary’s response when the angel revealed to her that she would be the mother of Jesus? She said:

“I am the Lord’s servant. May it be to me as you have said.”

            Each of us should make that our heart’s desire.  When we offer ourselves as a willing vessel for God to use for His purpose, then we will be overflowing with the JOY of the Lord!

            Let’s keep drinking the Joy Juice of Jesus and ask the Lord to reveal His purpose & plan in his perfect timing.

Mary's Song of Joy

            Have you had your JOY JUICE today?  It’s extra sweet this time of year!

            With Christmas being only a few short weeks away, many of us have already begun to purchase gifts for those we love.  Gifts that will be placed under the Christmas tree or given at parties or family get-togethers.  And while it is such a pleasure to see the smiles of delight on our loved ones’ faces as they open their gifts, let’s not forget that Jesus is what Christmas is all about.

            Our hearts should be overflowing with joy and gratitude as we read the passage known as Mary’s song in Luke 1:46 – 55. 

            And Mary said:

                  “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.  From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Might One has done great things for me—holy is his name.”

            If we were to write our own song professing our love for the Lord, would it be filled with joy…as Mary’s was?  Does our soul glorify the Lord?  Does our spirit rejoice in God our Savior? Mary’s joy stemmed from a heart of servitude and humility. She was willing to accept her role with graciousness, trusting that God’s plan was best.  That’s why she was chosen to be the mother of Jesus.

            Let’s follow Mary’s example and sing a song of Christmas joy as we accept God’s plan for our lives.   

Genuine Christmas Joy

            Have you had your Joy Juice today?  Share some Christmas Joy with your friends and relatives!

            When Mary found out that she was going to be the mother of Jesus, the angel also informed her that her relative Elizabeth was going to have a baby.  Mary could hardly wait to visit Elizabeth, so they could share their “secrets” which had been revealed to them.

            Remember, they didn’t have telephones or email.  They couldn’t text one another back and forth or have a Skype video chat.  They had to actually travel by foot or donkey to visit one another.  Listen to the account of the first visit after the angel had brought them the good news.

“At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.  When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.  In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!  But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy!  Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished.”

            Did you hear all the JOY JUICE that was flowing from that passage?  CHRISTMAS JOY!   The Holy Spirit had spoken truth into Elizabeth’s heart and she knew that the baby Mary was carrying was the Messiah.  Just hearing those words spoken through Elizabeth must have been such a source of encouragement, faith and joy for Mary. 

            May God reveal Himself so vividly during this Christmas season that you find your own heart leaping with joy!