Joy

So this morning I was pondering various things as I drove home from dropping my roommate off at the airport (at 5 in the morning) and listening to Christmas music. And it jut hit me how powerful this season is. How marvelously wonderful it is that God sent His Only Begotten Son into the world to save us. Can you imagine the joy of those shepherds and the wise men who came later, as the Spirit testified of the magnificence of the event? I mean, it was so amazing, that an heavenly choir appeared and sang to humble shepherds. Not one angel, not two, but a choir! There was so much joy in heaven that it had to be expressed in the mortal world. How wonderful that Christ came into the world!

And why? Why was it so joyful? Because he did it for you and for me. Because he did it for everyone for whom the holidays are hard, for those who have lost loved ones, those who struggle financially and feel like they can't celebrate like they want to, those who are single and wonder what it would be like to have someone special to share this time of year with. He did it for us. He did it so we could find joy in the season, because He is there, and He made it possible for us to come together, not just as families, but as communities. He shares the heavenly joy of the season with us, because He provides a way for us to be with our Father in Heaven and the rest of His family forever.
I know that He really did come, and the heavens rejoiced, and we can too. Would that we could all keep the joy of Him whose birthday we celebrate with us this season and all year round.