CH R I S T MAS DAY
JOY FOR ALL
Praise the Lord, O my soul; praise His holy name! Father, grant me again the joy of resting in Your good, good presence today. Amen
J OHN 3: 1 6 - 20 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. 19 This is the verdict: light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. 20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. 16
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n the final day of a Christian publishing conference, 280 participants from 50 countries gathered in the outdoor plaza of a hotel for a group photo. From the secNEWS THAT WILL ond-floor balcony, the photographer took many shots from different angles before fiCAUSE GREAT JOY FOR nally saying, “We’re through.” A voice from ALL THE PEOPLE. the crowd shouted with relief, “Well, joy to the world!” Immediately, someone replied LUKE 2:10 by singing, “The Lord is come.” Others began to join in. Soon the entire group was singing the familiar carol in beautiful harmony. It was a moving display of unity and joy that I will never forget. In Luke’s account of the Christmas story, an angel announced the birth of Jesus to a group of shepherds saying, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” (LUKE 2:10–11). The joy was not for a few people, but for all. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son” (JOHN 3:16). Though this broken world of sin deserves judgement, Jesus did not come “to condemn the world, but to save the world” (V. 17). As we share the life-changing message of Jesus with others, we join the worldwide chorus in proclaiming “the glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love”. “Joy to the world, the Lord is come!” o DAVID MCCASLAND
DO NOT BE AFRAID. I BRING YOU GOOD
Read today’s passage again. What reasons are we given to be thankful for Jesus’ arrival in our world? What gives you the greatest joy in your walk with Him?
Father, give us eyes to see people of all nations as recipients of Your grace and joy.
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