By HUNTER GREENE
My favorite time of year has come and gone once again. All the presents have been opened. We will soon begin to put up our lights and decorations. We now look forward to next year’s candlelight Christmas services. Unfortunately, it now becomes socially unacceptable to sing Christmas carols. Now we must return to our normal lives where holiday discounts and deals disappear and most people don’t sustain their Christmas spirit.
We put so much effort every year into celebrating the birth of our Savior and rightfully so. However, most, if not all, of our attention is placed on that single night in history. But what happened after Christmas night? If we look closely, we will find that the Christmas story may not have been as convenient and comfortable as we make it out to be singing “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World.”
Matthew 2:16 says, “Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.” While we celebrate the birth of our Savior, we often forget about the many children that were slaughtered because of His birth. We forget that Mary and Joseph were forced to leave their home to escape Herod’s decree. In my opinion, there doesn’t seem to be much joy to be brought before the world in those painful nights.
But what if Jesus didn’t come to make his parents lives more convenient? What if He didn’t come to make people feel more comfortable? What if He didn’t come for our present circumstances? What if Jesus came to change your soul and not change your paycheck or possessions?
Although the holidays have passed, we must find our joy in the painful nights that follow Christmas night. We must find the difference between our happiness and our joy. Our happiness is external while our joy should be internal. Your happiness is temporary, but your joy should be eternal. We may find our happiness in the presents, lights, and Christmas trees, but we must make Christ the eternal source of our joy that cannot be taken away.
As the world is hurting and broken, much like it was at the time of Christ’s birth, Christians must continue to be the joy of the world even when our circumstances are not the best. James 1:2-4 reads, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” This is paradoxical. How are we to rejoice and be joyful when we face trials and tribulation? We must learn to trust God in our painful nights and long days knowing that He is molding us to be like His Son. 1 Peter 4:12-13 also offers us this reminder. It says, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.”
It may not make sense to remain joyful while you battle cancer or lose a family member, but it also doesn’t make sense for God to send His perfect Son to save a world of sinful wretches. Although Christmas is over, your joy should just be beginning. Joy came to the world 2,000 years ago through the cries of a new born baby, and it will continue to reach the world in the midst of crying and anguish. Your joy can’t be rooted in presents, money, health, or even family. It must be rooted in a cold night in a stinky manger, in a crown of thorns, in a scourging, in a cross, and in an empty tomb. Find joy in your brokenness because God is just making you whole.
(The Solution Column is provided by Pastor Brandon Young of Harmony Free Will Baptist Church, Hampton, and his associate, Hunter Greene.)