Words about the Word: Brad McBee - First Christian Church

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. -Luke 2:20 (NIV)

It’s about that time, (for many the time has already passed), to box up Christmas and put it back in storage for another year. Soon the city will be de-decorating. The decorations will come down at homes, stores, and places of worship. Everything will be back to normal. So is Christmas truly over?

I’m reminded of a story I came across in one of my books, from a man in Illinois:

I was waiting to see my doctor in June when an older couple arrived. “Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas!” the gentleman said to everyone in the waiting room with enthusiasm.

Most of the patients ignored the outburst, but I decided to respond, “Merry Christmas to you too!” Sensing a sympathetic ear, the wife quietly said, “It started this past year. For no reason, my husband would get the Christmas spirit. At first we dismissed it, but then we realized how much joy it brought him. So we started decorating the house, singing carols, having a spur-of-the-moment celebration.“You know, after doing this a number of times, we look forward to it.” She went on to say, “Christmas can come anytime, anyplace. It’s always a pleasant surprise.”

Christmas can come anytime, anyplace. It’s always a pleasant surprise and it’s always filled with joy. When that first Christmas came, it came most unexpectedly and at a place almost no one would have thought of, a stable. Yet, it came with great joy. That brings me back to the shepherds again, The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. -Luke 2:20 (NIV)

This is how some other translations read;

The shepherds returned to their flock, ecstatic over what had happened. They praised God and glorified him for all they had heard and seen for themselves, just like the angel had said. -Luke 2:20 (TPT)

The shepherds returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they’d been told! -Luke 2:20 (MSG)

Glorifying, praising, ecstatic... and my favorite, they let loose. They were so full of joy over the birth of Jesus. Over the birth of the Messiah. Over the birth of the One who saves. They couldn’t help but rejoice... They let loose!

Joy, the Joy of Christmas is truly one of the hallmarks of Christmas and it is something that can’t be boxed up and put away but remains from one year to the next. For you see, the Christmas joy is a hallmark of the Christians life. It is something we always have with us. It is the joy of knowing that we are the dearly loved children of God, saved by His love, mercy, and grace. That is something that is not temporal but eternal. It is not dependent on circumstances, but part of our DNA as believers, part of our very being.

As believers we know that true happiness, true joy, is not found in circumstances but in our relationship with our Creator, with Jesus, with Yeshua. Only He can give us His “fullness of joy”. As the Psalmist wrote, You lead me in the path of life; I experience absolute joy in your presence; you always give me sheer delight. -Psalm 16:11 (NET)

Christmas may be over, it may be boxed up for another year, but the joy of CHRISTmas is with us always because Jesus is with us always.

Peace, Blessings, Love, and CHRISTmas Joy,

Pastor Brad McBee

First Christian Church