Sunday night a friend invited me to attend a special worship service with him and his family. The whole evening was a celebration of the birth of Jesus. I was amazed at the talent of each participant during the service. I was attentive. I listened carefully … observed closely. My heart was moved. One moment my eyes filled with tears … another, I wanted to stand and applaud.
I was reminded that my Savior chose to humble Himself and enter this world as a tender, innocent baby in a stable in an insignificant little town … knowing all along that His destination was a cross … a cruel, inhuman death … an unavoidable and unspeakable event … because of no sin other than my own.
Forgiveness of sins is an incredible thing. Before Jesus, there was no forgiveness. Today, there is no forgiveness apart from Him.
Maybe it was that simple fact. Maybe it was the dual videos contrasting the baby in the manger and the Son of God on the cross. Maybe it was over 100 voices singing “Joy, Joy” at the top of their lungs. Maybe it was a revelation from His Holy Spirit. Maybe it was all of those things, but whatever it was, the good tidings of great joy took on a new significance to me.
The darkness was over. God was contacting His people. Reconciliation had begun, and there was no turning back. The world was about to experience the release of burdens and guilt of a magnitude that it could never have imagined, and this was an occasion for great joy … a joy that continues to this very day.
Every day that is graced with forgiveness is a cause for celebration … an invitation to rejoice. Joy can’t be legislated … censored … or banned. No amount of bad news … depressing statistics … or threats of impending doom can overcome the joy of forgiveness. It dwells in a secret place in your heart … an inner room filled with treasures … accessible only to the One Who offers forgiveness … for only He holds the key.
May you turn off your television. May you unplug your stereo. May you log off of the internet (yes, including this site). May you clear your busy schedule, and may you rekindle your friendship with the Author of forgiveness. May you laugh with Him and cry with Him. May your voice blend in unison with His, and may the two of you sing a song of joy like no one has ever sung before.
Joy to the world!
Joy to your homeland!
Joy to your neighborhood!
Joy to your family and friends!
Joy from Jesus straight to your forgiven soul!
Joy to the deepest reaches of your sincere, hopeful heart … today … and every day!
May you live in the joy of forgiveness.
~s
