Joy, Joy, Joy! Sorrow Turned to Gladness
BY Pastor Jerry
A favorite Christmas Carol that I look forward to singing this time of year is “Joy to the World.” Yet, it seems somewhat ironic at this moment to be thinking of Joy because my TV program was just interrupted with a “News Flash” of a terrorist bombing in New York City. Following the news alert there came on a report of the massive wildfires happening in California that is destroying thousands of homes and displacing countless numbers of persons. So, Joy is the last thing I can think of right now that we have to sing about.
There’s much pain and suffering happening in the world right now!
However, experiencing dreadful misery is not new to our day and time. There has always been sorrow around throughout the ages. Going way back in time the earth was destroyed by a flood, as well as all living creatures (except Noah and his family), destroyed as a results of the evil that got out-of-hand (Genesis 6 & 7). And world wars have been fought with the promise to end all wars for good, but that hope has not been even close to being realized. In our modern era, wars are being fought with words on social media that have wounded and broken the human heart and left many wallowing in the filthy aftermath with deep sorrow.
Humanity is shuttering from the effects of unkindness, violence and indifference which leaves the heart crying out in sorrow.
But before we get loss in the ugly picture of this heartache, let’s go back to the song “Joy to the World.” Christmas is about a promise that God made to humanity that would bring to an end the pain, the hurt, the sorrow. The Christmas story is about a gift that is going to be given, actually, that has already been given, but that is yet to be received by countless many. You see, “The Lord has come!” So, people, let every heart prepare Him room. Let each one of us receive the King!
A question we each need to ask is, “Has our heart prepared Him room?”
The scriptures remind us that there will be wars and rumors of wars, there will be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in many places. These are the times of sorrow. (Matthew 24:6-8). Therefore, don’t be surprised when hard times come. But the same scriptures encourage us “to see that you be not troubled.” Why? Because the Lord has come! The Savior has been revealed! He has defeated the evil one! A new order has been established! The day is coming when we will beat our swords into plowshares. Christmas is a time to start living in the new kingdom, the Kingdom of God. This is a time to speak with kindness, to share hospitality, and to love one another. That’s not only something we are to do, but it’s something to sing about. Now, with that good news, it’s time to sing Joy, Joy, Joy!
Christmas is a time for Joy to the people everywhere you see!
When Jesus came at Christmas, He made it possible for our sorrow to be turned into gladness. Try it! Try singing Joy to the world, singing Joy to all the boys and girls, singing Joy to the people everywhere you see, singing Joy to you and me! Joy, Joy, Joy! Sing it because the Lord has come! Jesus is our Joy at Christmas time.
What do you think? I want to hear from you about Joy, about how sorrow can be turned into gladness.
Check out our Advent Series: All I Want for Christmas
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