“The Angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy, which will be to all people. Unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior which is Christ, the Lord” (Luke 2:10).
The circumstances surrounding the first Christmas weren’t very joyful. Roman soldiers bullied the Jews. Mary & Joseph lived under the poverty level. Jesus’ birth took place in an unsanitary shed. The Shepherds worked the night shift.
Despite the negative circumstances that existed on that first Christmas, God’s angel said, ‘I bring you good news of great joy!” Thirty-three years later, just hours before He was crucified, Jesus said to His disciples, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11). About thirty years after that, the Apostle Paul, writing at a time of severe persecution, wrote, “The fruit of the Spirit is…joy…” (See Galatians 5:22).
One of the distinctive characteristics of a genuine Christian is a joyful spirit. That’s because regardless of what happens in Washington D.C., the sports arena, or our homes, we have a hope that can never perish, spoil or fade kept in heaven for us.
But, frankly, I encounter many Christians who aren’t very joyful – especially older Christians. Instead, our lives are characterized by complaining about what’s wrong with us physically, pining for the past when we were important, criticizing the younger generation for their lack of respect, and whining about how horrible the government has become.
Often the older we get, the more negative and grumpy we become. One teen complained, “My Grandpa is OCD.” A friend asked, “He has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder?” “No. He’s old, cranky, and dangerous!”
That shouldn’t be! The Bible doesn’t say, ‘Rejoice in the Lord until you’re 55, and then you have a spiritual license to become increasingly cantankerous. It says, “Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS…” (See Philippians 4:4). A few years ago, I was speaking at Kentucky Christian University. A 104-year-old man walked into the room. He walked with a cane, but he still walked! I was eager to meet him afterward and discovered he was a retired banker. He had a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face. He was incredibly joyful. Maybe that’s why he lived so long. The Bible says, “A merry heart does good like medicine…” (See Proverbs 17:22 King James Version). When I turned around, I observed four or five college students standing in line, waiting to shake his hand.
Older believers who are joyful are contagious, fun to be around, and a positive witness for Christ. People who are old, cranky, and dangerous are not. And they are wasting away their lives, one day at a time.
Jesus said, “I’ve come that you might have life and have it to the full” (John 10:10). This Christmas season, may I challenge you to choose to be joyful and live every day to the fullest? I’ll admit, that’s not easy. It’s hard to be joyful when the body hurts, people disappoint, and the future is uncertain.
Nehemiah wrote, “The joy of the Lord is my strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). When you choose to be joyful, regardless of circumstances, you will be strengthened and lift the spirit of others. When you choose to be miserable, you will weaken yourself and drag others down. It becomes a daily choice.
A few weeks ago, on my 78th birthday, I received a heartwarming text message from my daughter-in-law, Lisa, whom I deeply love. Her text came during a difficult period of my life when my grandson was clinging to life in the ICU. I had been trying to put into practice James 1:2-3, which reads, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” However, that Scripture was a challenge for me, and it meant I had to act contrary to the way I actually felt.
Then I received this message from Lisa:
“Happy 78th birthday to my most favorite father-in-law of all time!! I’m incredibly thankful for you! One thing I’ve always loved about you is how your mood and personality are so steady and temperate. I can say that has been even more appreciated over the last (almost) 8 weeks! I know you’ve said Charlie’s hospitalization has been one of the most challenging experiences you’ve ever had, but you haven’t behaved like that – and for that – I am thankful!
I really appreciate that you don’t punish everyone else around you because of the pain you are experiencing! (I know some people like that! – it’s pure torture!)
But I will say that I am so sorry that you are experiencing this level of heartache and pain. I’ve always believed that God gave you to me – as a really sweet and special gift. And I’m realizing that you are the same gift to our 3 (almost grown) kids. I’m grateful you have been one of the most influential people in their lives – for their whole lives!
Please continue to do what you’ve been doing! (It is working!) God was so good to give you to all of us! I love you! Happy Birthday!”
Wow! That’s about the nicest birthday present I have ever received.”
In preaching class many years ago, I was taught that you should seldom make yourself the hero of an illustration. So, forgive me for boasting. I realize the above message makes me look better than I am. However, my daughter-in-law’s text really encouraged me — and made me more joyful. The point is simple — you are more likely to have others encourage you if you are joyful than if you mope around and beg for sympathy. Furthermore, you are more likely to be joyful if you put your total trust in Jesus Christ and have the hope of eternal life regardless of what happens in this world.
This Christmas season, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).
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