“I Believe in God: Ode to Joy”
Luke 1:46-47 “And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
The season of Christmas is known as a season of joy. The gift-giving, special foods, singing carols, and holiday parties are all traditions that make us happy this time of year. But, happiness is different from joy. Happiness is usually dependent on circumstances and can be fleeting when difficulties occur like they have this year. Joy is more about a state of contentment which overcome hard times, especially in these challenging days.
There is much joy in the Christmas story in the Bible. A young mother, Mary, rejoicing at the birth of her special son, angel choirs filling the sky, and shepherds praising God in a stable. Joy at the Saviour’s birth, then and now, comes from the promise that the world changed for the better with his arrival. As we face a very diffident holiday season, I pray that we will experience joy in everyday acts of love, in the wonder of unexpected gifts, and moments of calm in the middle of busyness.