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DEC Pic 1You Can Have Christmas Joy

//Kenneth W. Hagin

For many people, Christmas is just another day—only a little more expensive and a lot more work. I've even heard Christians say, "Oh, this is so much trouble. Do we have to go through all this?"

How sad it is that an event that brought so much joy in Heaven should bring so little joy on earth. Remember how joyful the angels were when they appeared to the shepherds? They sang, "Glory to God in the highest! Peace on earth! Goodwill toward men!"

 

I want to encourage you this month to slow down and enjoy the season. Let this Christmas be a time of joy—not one of heartache and distress. Joy is like love. It's not merely an emotion; it's a decision. And I believe we can be as joyful as we want to be. It all comes down to where we choose to put our focus.

It's so easy to get wrapped up in celebrating Christmas that we forget Who and what we are supposed to be celebrating. Christmas is not primarily about us, our family, our friends, our church, or presents. It's about Jesus! And focusing on Him means that we remember not only the baby born in a Bethlehem stable, but the man who died to pay for our sins and rose to give us new life.

Galatians 2:20 (NLT) says, "My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." Jesus not only gave His life and rose from the grave, but He lives inside of us! That should be the joy that fills us this Christmas! Jesus Christ—our Savior—dwells in us!

Don't let this Christmas be filled with worry, distress, and fear. God has a gift for you—His joy. Unwrap it now, and let it be in your life—not just during this wonderful season, but every day!
Have a joyful Christmas!