Hebrews 12:1-3
Sometimes it is hard to find joy in the midst of everyday life. The closer we get to Christmas the more worries and details tend to get in the way of expressing joy. The details of holiday events, family relationships, weather changes, and the concerns of getting the right gift to see the joy on the receiver’s face challenge our individual desire to experience the joy of Christ.
Naomi and I have been talking about how this holiday is different than the ones we have had before. Our children have to come to us rather than all of us traveling to see our parents. The traditions of Chicken Fried Steak and Potatoes 3 ways will continue for Christmas dinner, but the car ride together reading “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” will not happen. Instead, I will send it to our kids so that they can listen to it on the drive to see us.
What has changed for you from last year to this year? What about over the past 10 years? What traditions that you valued as a child? Do you pass them down to the next generation or start your own? Are the traditions and events that your family celebrating drawing you and them nearer to Christ this Christmas or are they distracting you from the Joy He has planned for you?
Jesus came to earth not for us to establish traditions of oysters, oranges, and outrageous sweaters rather He came as God in flesh to reveal His plan of salvation. Hebrews 12:1-3 helps us understand Jesus’ joy:
1 Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
This Christmas let us celebrate with our hearts focused on Christ’s joy. Sometimes we need to set aside traditions to allow us to celebrate Jesus’ reason for coming to earth. Other times traditions draw us to seeing Christ’s work all the more clearly reminding us that His gift of salvation was intentionally planned. Whatever we do on a daily basis, not just at Christmas, should draw us to discover the Joy of Christ in His work of salvation and sanctification.
His work of salvation was done with great joy. We are told to respond to His work by focusing on His witness and casting aside our sin. By doing that work we are able to run the race of faith before us, chasing after Jesus in every area of our lives. He did the work of salvation so that we would not grow weary or lose heart. With great joy we focus our eyes and hearts on Jesus and celebrate His joy not only at the celebration of His birth but everyday after.