Christmas Joy

        What robs your joy during the Christmas season – disappointments, financial stresses, loneliness, busyness, painful memories, or even just being grumpy? In John 15, Jesus taught that He is the Vine and believers are the branches. Furthermore, if we will abide in or stay closely attached to Him, His Word, and His love, His joy will be in us and our joy will be full! The joy of the Lord does not depend on outer circumstances but rather the inner heart of lovingly serving others and helping them attach to Jesus!

         Before you were even born, God knew your name. He knew you (and I) would make mistakes; He knew we would sin. Since the payment for sin is death and separation from God forever, He loves you and me so much that God sent His Son, Jesus, to pay that death penalty for us. Over two thousand years ago, Jesus died on a cross in your place so that you may receive forgiveness for your sins and the free gift of never-ending, eternal life with God.

         I pray that you have a personal relationship with Jesus. I hope you talk to Him through prayer, listen to Him through His Word, and trust Him daily to meet your every need.

         If you don’t have that close friendship with Jesus, please hear me carefully; God wants you close to Him, and He has a Christmas gift for you today. It’s a FREE gift of GRACE – God giving what we do not deserve and cannot earn. He said to take His gift of forgiveness of sins and eternal life by faith and belief in His Son, Jesus.

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,

so that you will abound in hope by the power of

the Holy Spirit!” (Rom. 15:13)

May you walk through this Christmas season closely attached to Jesus,

and may you have a JOYFUL, JOYFUL Christmas!

(Jill Glassco, author of  The Schoolhouse)