Is it a Miserable Life?
A Blue Christmas Meditation of "How to NOT Ruin Christmas"
“If I could work my will, every idiot who goes about with ‘Merry Christmas’ on his lips should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart.”
– Ebenezer Scrooge
Why should anyone be happy just because it is Christmas?
There was NO HOPE to improve a shepherd’s lot in life.
9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 And so the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. – Luke 2:9-11 (NASB)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of mankind. 5 And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not grasp it. – John 1:1-5 (NASB)
The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them. – Isaiah 9:2 (NASB)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. The Lord is near. – Philippians 4:4-5 (NASB)
The antidote to misery in circumstance is JOY in knowing the eventual outcome.
6 For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace on the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of armies will accomplish this. – Isaiah 9:6-7 (NASB)
Assurance reminds us that the victory has already been won!
The world is FULL of hard and broken things.
Jesus has WON the day, and that gives us JOY – even in the middle of the darkness!
Questions for Reflection:
What are the things that steal your joy around the season of Advent?
What was it about Jesus that turned the Shepherd’s misery into joy?
What are some of the reasons Herod the Great was such a miserable person?
How does the nearness of God. Through Jesus, our Emmanuel, bring us joy?
Why does assurance change our misery to joy?
In what ways can you choose to let the light of joy shine to those around you this Christmas?
– Ebenezer Scrooge
Why should anyone be happy just because it is Christmas?
There was NO HOPE to improve a shepherd’s lot in life.
9 And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 And so the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; 11 for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. – Luke 2:9-11 (NASB)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him not even one thing came into being that has come into being. 4 In Him was life, and the life was the Light of mankind. 5 And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not grasp it. – John 1:1-5 (NASB)
The people who walk in darkness will see a great light; Those who live in a dark land, the light will shine on them. – Isaiah 9:2 (NASB)
4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. The Lord is near. – Philippians 4:4-5 (NASB)
The antidote to misery in circumstance is JOY in knowing the eventual outcome.
6 For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. 7 There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace on the throne of David and over his kingdom, To establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of armies will accomplish this. – Isaiah 9:6-7 (NASB)
Assurance reminds us that the victory has already been won!
The world is FULL of hard and broken things.
Jesus has WON the day, and that gives us JOY – even in the middle of the darkness!
Questions for Reflection:
What are the things that steal your joy around the season of Advent?
What was it about Jesus that turned the Shepherd’s misery into joy?
What are some of the reasons Herod the Great was such a miserable person?
How does the nearness of God. Through Jesus, our Emmanuel, bring us joy?
Why does assurance change our misery to joy?
In what ways can you choose to let the light of joy shine to those around you this Christmas?