THINK ON: Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.” LUKE 2:9-12
Tumbleweed figures it’s appropriate to end the year on a lighter note, at least as opposed to dealing with all the problems in the world. Christmas is a time of joy; a time of celebrating the birth of our Savior.
Joy? It’s certainly tempting to take “joyful” back-handed swipes at the myriad political kerfuffles we witnessed this past year. I expect we’ll have more of that sort of joy to look forward to next year.
“News of great joy” holds such promise. Actually, joy for Tumbleweed is family and friends. My blessings of joy seem numbered as the stars in the night sky. My wife and our two sons top my joys at Christmas. Then there’s my dear family spread across the country; though especially in Texas. Friends, good close friends are few in number but bountiful in my heart. Indeed, great joy fills Tumbleweed’s heart.
Joy is so important, as it has the capacity to compensate for the not-so-joyful happenings that find their way into our lives. Think on Mary and Joseph who faced family ostracism over her pregnancy, and then entered crowded Bethlehem and had to endure bedding down in a stable. Seems their situation was turned to joy with the birth of Jesus and knowledge of what He was to become. And now we celebrate their joy with a holiday we call Christmas. We celebrate His life, death, and resurrection; but at this Christmas moment, we celebrate the joy of His birth.
Tumbleweed wishes everyone a joyful Christmas.