Finding Joy in a Crowded Season#
Christmas first triggers and then assembles a myriad of thoughts and emotions within a man.
Since 1843 Charles Dickens in 'A Christmas Carol' has educated the western world. He wrote the true joy of Christmas is found in 'giving' - you'll hear this everywhere. But is Dickens correct?
Christmas is known as a most critical event for support and crisis services. Images of happy playful families and feel-good movies contradict the annual experience of untold hurting human souls.
Jesus entered earth into a crowded world, a time and place so 'choc-a-bloc' full there was no room for Him even at an inn. As with the shepherds near baby Jesus, our joy is not found in the absence of a crowded season, but must arrive in the midst of it. None in the western world are insulated from this Christmas season, rather we live at its center.
Christmas is no opportunity to retire to a remote hillside and seek the joy that is offered in the Lord's presence. This joy must be found from within the season, for where is the value of celebration without the ability to share it with another? Joy alone is a hollow joy.
Magi (wise men) came to Jerusalem seeking the one to be born - 'The King of the Jews'. These men were truly wise, for they were willing to open their hearts and treasure Jesus. They received Jesus in worship.
When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:10-11)
Joy is found in this crowded Christmas season as this righteous birth dawns upon each soul:
Christmas joy is always first about worshiping He who no man deserves, receiving the joy of Him who made Himself available to all men.#
As another crowded Christmas fast approaches may the joy of this Babe in a manger be as alive as Lord in your heart as He was in the shepherds' and Magis' hearts.
Today's Soul Snippet:
Jesus' welcome upon earth was as humble as His birthplace upon earth.
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#Inspired by - Capturing Joy in a Crowded Season