The last two days have been filled with lots of Christmas preparations. It’s a fun time of year for me. I enjoy shopping for gifts, wrapping gifts, and giving gifts. Today, I spent a lot of time wrapping gifts for my family. As is my tradition, I listened to Christmas music while I wrapped. I found myself dancing with delight to some of my favorite songs. As I was finishing up my annual Christmas wrapping, a song was playing that made me stop. I smiled as I sang along to the words of “My Jesus I Love Thee.”
My Jesus I love Thee
I know Thou art mine
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign
My gracious redeemer, My Savior art Thou
If ever I loved Thee, My Jesus ‘tis now
I love Thee because Thou
Has first love me
And purchased my pardon
On Calvary’s tree
I love Thee for wearing
The thorns on Thy brow
If ever I loved Thee, My Jesus ‘tis now
In mansions of glory
And endless delight
I’ll ever adore Thee
In heaven so bright
I’ll sing with a glittering
Crown on my brow
If ever I loved Thee
My Jesus ‘tis now
In those moments of singing I realized how much I delight in loving Jesus and others. I was filled with great joy!
Joy is amazing happiness, great delight that fills our soul.
There are hundreds of references to joy in the Bible, but this one is quite familiar to many:
“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11).
The Messiah, the Lord, is Jesus.
And Jesus brought great joy with Him.
Jesus is Joy!
Jesus is my great delight. I find myself smiling now as I’m filled with gratefulness for who He is and all that He has done for me.
I love Jesus.
As this day is coming to a close for me, I think of how much Jesus loves us and how much He wants us to love Him and others. When we do, we have joy.
“If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you” (John 15:10-12).
Friends, this Advent season I pray you that you love the Lord Jesus. I pray you will go to the altar of Jesus and be filled with great delight. It’s in His presence we are filled with joy. May you be filled with joy this Advent season.
Jesus is Joy!
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