Joy to the world, The Lord has come.

JOY TO THE WORLD, THE LORD HAS COME. The atmosphere around His birth was JOY. The response of the Wise Men: [Matthew 2:10] “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great JOY.” The word means GREAT AND EXCEEDING GLADNESS. The shepherds in the field when the Angel appeared to them: [Luke 2:10-11] “Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great JOY which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” There is a lot to be joyful over with the birth of our Savior. Now we have the opportunity for sins forgiven. Great joy surrounds our new birth in Christ Jesus. [Luke 15:10] “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Great JOY surrounded the birth but remember, HE WAS BORN TO DIE. [Matthew 1:21] “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Of course, that meant a cross. He was born to die for all the sins of all the world. Every who had ever lived up until that time, all that were alive then and all who would be born. ALL THE SINS OF ALL THE WORLD. It was brutal, it was bloody, He suffered more than any man and died for all of us. The third day He rose from the dead and now is sitting at the right hand of God. HE COMPLETED HIS MISSION. And you know what? It was all associated with JOY! That seems like a contradiction. How can suffering have any semblance of joy. Well, it does. [Hebrews 12:2] “...looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the JOY that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” THE COST OF THE CROSS WAS MINIMIZED AND WORTH IT BECAUSE, FOR JESUS, IT MEANT YOUR SALVATION...AND THAT MEANT JOY!