What
did you get for Christmas? You
got hope, peace, and Joy.
Massena, one of Napoleon's generals, suddenly appeared
with eighteen thousand men before an Austrian town which had no means of
defense. The town council had nearly decided to surrender when the old dean of
the church reminded them that it was Easter and begged them to hold services
as usual and to leave the trouble in Gods hands. This they did; and the French
hearing the church bells ringing joyfully concluded that an Austrian army had
come to relieve the place and quickly broke camp. Before the bells ceased
ringing, all the Frenchmen had vanished.
The
incident has often been duplicated in individual lives. They have rung the joy
bells in the face of pain, and sickness, and poverty, and fear, and
loneliness, and all other trials. Then the joy bells have conquered. Speedily,
the foe has slunk away. Speedily, the bell ringers have found themselves in
possession of the field. For no enemy is quite so strong as faith companioned
with good cheer. --Amos R. Wells
Scripture
Text: Psalm.
98:1 (KJS) A Psalm. O sing unto the LORD a new song; for he hath done
marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the
victory. 2 The LORD hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he
openly shewed in the sight of the heathen. 3 He hath remembered his mercy and
his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the
salvation of our God. 4 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make
a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. 5 Sing unto the LORD with the
harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. 6 With trumpets and sound of
cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King. 7 Let the sea roar, and
the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. 8 Let the floods
clap [their] hands: let the hills be joyful together 9 Before the LORD; for he
cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and
the people with equity.
Joy
is the third gift of Christmas. Joy is something you
have when you:
Joy
in hearing
the good news. Have you heard?
Luke 2:10 (KJS) And the
angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great
joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the
city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
Joy
in seeing
the Lord has come to us. Have you seen?
Matt
2:10 (KJS) When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11
And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his
mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their
treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
Joy
in knowing
the Lord. Do you know the Lord?
Joy
in running
to meet the Lord. The Lord has
come to you. Have you run?
Joy
in worshipping
the Lord. Have you worshipped?
Joy
in serving
the Lord and serving one another. Have
you served?
Joy
in giving
to the Lord through giving to others. Have
you given?
Joy
in receiving
the Lord gift of salvation. Have you received the Lord?
Joy
in being and living
with the Lord. Are you living
with the Lord?
Joy
in experiencing
a new life of hope, peace, joy, and love.
Are you experiencing?
Joy
in sowing and reaping. Have
you brought the seeds of sorrow to plant?
These will bring the harvest of joy?
Psalm
126:3 The LORD hath done great things for us; [whereof] we are glad.
4 Turn again our captivity, O LORD, as the streams in the south. 5 They that
sow in tears shall reap in joy. 6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing
precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves
[with him].