The Joy of Christmas

The New International Version Chapter 1

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has been mindful

of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,

for the Mighty One has done great things for me—

holy is his name.

His mercy extends to those who fear him,

from generation to generation.

The Joy of Christmas

Luke 1:47-50

Main idea: This sermon explores the joy and mercy found in knowing God, and the anticipation of rejoicing in Christ's return, through the lens of Luke 1:47-50.

Introduction

Welcome to our pre Christmas Day celebration, to our officers and support staff, to Rev. Ellis and to all assembled. To our online community and many fellow worshippers. God is greatly to be praised. We are here, not by any accident or coincidence, but by the divine plan of a loving God who desires to speak to us, to nourish us with His truth, and to fill us with His everlasting peace.

" It is this business of knowing God that brings us together today, to seek His face and to hear His voice as we turn to the sacred pages of Scripture.

Let us turn our hearts and minds to the Gospel of Luke, Chapter 1, verses 47 to 50:

"And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation."

These verses, rich with meaning and ripe with revelation, will be the foundation of our time together today. We will examine the Manifestation of Mercy, the joy that Grace can produce, and the anticipation of Rejoicing in the Return of Christ.

As we embark on this sacred trip, let us invite the Holy Spirit to guide us, to illuminate our understanding, and to make our hearts fertile ground for the seed of God's word. This text reveals these three things about The Joy of Christmas. First we see;

Manifestation of Mercy

In the heart of the Gospel of Luke, we find a profound declaration of God's mercy. It's a mercy that is not distant or abstract, but one that is close, personal, and tangible. It's a mercy that reaches into the humble state of His servant and does great things. This mercy is not a fleeting emotion or a passing sentiment, but a powerful, transformative force that shapes lives and destinies. It's a mercy that extends from generation to generation, a testament to the enduring love and faithfulness of God.

Consider the humble state of Mary, the mother of Jesus. She was a young woman from a small town, with no wealth or status to speak of. Yet, God chose her to be the mother of His Son. He saw her humble state, and in His mercy, He did great things for her. This is the manifestation of God's mercy - His ability to see us in our humble state, in our weakness and need, and to do great things for us.

God's mercy is not limited to the extraordinary moments of life. It's not confined to the mountaintop experiences or the miraculous interventions. God's mercy is also found in the ordinary, everyday moments of life. It's found in the provision of our daily needs, in the comfort of a friend's presence, in the peace that comes in the midst of a storm. God's mercy is as close as our next breath, as constant as the rising and setting of the sun.

The mercy of God is also deeply personal. It's not a generic, one-size-fits-all kind of mercy. God's mercy is tailored to our individual needs, to our unique circumstances. He knows our struggles, our fears, our hopes, and our dreams. He knows what we need even before we ask. His mercy meets us where we are, in our specific situation, and provides exactly what we need.

God's mercy is not just for the here and now. It extends from generation to generation. It's a mercy that is passed down from parents to children, from one generation to the next. It's a mercy that is as enduring as God Himself. It's a mercy that never runs out, never gives up, never fails. It's a mercy that is always available, always accessible, always ready to be poured out on those who fear Him.

So, as we reflect on the manifestation of God's mercy, let us remember that His mercy is close, personal, constant, and enduring. Let us remember that His mercy is not just for the extraordinary moments of life, but also for the ordinary, everyday moments. Let us remember that His mercy is not just for us, but for all who fear Him, from generation to generation. And let us remember that His mercy is not just a concept or a doctrine, but a reality that we can experience and enjoy every day of our lives.

Grace produces Gladness

In the realm of divine grace, we find a wellspring of joy, a fountain of gladness that bubbles up from the depths of a heart touched by the Savior's love. This is the joy that Mary, the mother of Jesus, experienced as she declared, "And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." Her joy was not a fleeting emotion, but a deep-seated gladness rooted in the grace of God.

This joy, this gladness, is not a product of our circumstances, but a fruit of the Spirit. It is a joy that goes beyond the trials and tribulations of life, a joy that is not dependent on our external conditions but is anchored in the unchanging nature of God. It is a joy that is not shaken by the storms of life, but stands firm in the face of adversity, knowing that our God is with us, and His grace is sufficient for us.

The Apostle Paul, writing to the Philippians from a Roman prison, exhorted them to "Rejoice in the Lord always." This command to rejoice was not a call to ignore or deny the reality of their suffering, but to look beyond their present circumstances to the God who is greater than any trial or tribulation. It was a call to find their joy, their gladness, not in their circumstances, but in the God who holds all circumstances in His hands.

The Greek word for "rejoice" used in this passage is "chairo," which carries the connotation of being glad or taking delight in something. It is used throughout the New Testament to express the joy that comes from knowing God and experiencing His grace. For instance, in Matthew 5:12, Jesus uses the same word when He says, "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great." Here, Jesus is encouraging His followers to find their joy, their gladness, in the promise of eternal life with Him.

The grace of God is not a one-time gift, but a continual outpouring of His love and favor. It is a grace that sustains us in our weakness, a grace that empowers us in our struggles, a grace that lifts us up when we fall. This grace is not earned or deserved, but freely given out of God's abundant love for us. It is this grace that gives us the strength to persevere, the courage to press on, and the hope to look forward with confidence to the future.

In the face of trials and tribulations, we can find joy in the grace of God. We can find gladness in the knowledge that God is for us, that He is with us, and that He will never leave us nor forsake us. We can find joy in the promise of God's presence, in the assurance of His love, and in the certainty of His faithfulness.

In the grace of God, we find our identity, our true worth, and our true purpose. We are no longer defined by our past mistakes, our present struggles, or our future fears, but by the love of God, the grace of God, and the mercy of God. We are no longer slaves to sin, but children of God, heirs of God, and co-heirs with Christ. In the grace of God, we find our joy, our gladness, and our hope.

Rejoice for the Return of Christ

As we continue to look this passage about God's mercy and grace, we find ourselves standing on the precipice of a grand event, the Return of Christ. This is not a distant, abstract idea, but a tangible reality that infuses our lives with a profound sense of hope and joy. It's like the anticipation of a long-awaited reunion with a beloved friend, the excitement of a child waiting for a birthday surprise, or the joy of a bridegroom waiting for his bride. This anticipation, this joy, is a direct result of the mercy and grace we have received.

The first aspect we need to understand about Rejoicing in the Return of Christ is that it's an active response to God's mercy and grace. It's not a passive, idle waiting, but an active, joyful anticipation. It's like a farmer who, after planting his seeds, waits with expectation for the harvest. He doesn't just sit back and do nothing. He waters the plants, removes the weeds, and protects the crops from pests. Similarly, our rejoicing in the Return of Christ is an active response to the mercy and grace we have received. We live our lives in a way that reflects our anticipation of His return. We strive to be faithful stewards of the gifts and talents He has given us. We seek to love and serve others in His name. We strive to grow in holiness and righteousness, knowing that when He returns, we will be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

The second aspect of Rejoicing in the Return of Christ is that it's a communal experience. It's not an individualistic, solitary experience, but a shared, communal joy. It's like a symphony where each instrument plays its part in harmony with the others to create a beautiful piece of music. Similarly, our rejoicing in the Return of Christ is a shared joy that unites us as the body of Christ. We encourage one another, we pray for one another, we bear one another's burdens, and we rejoice together in the hope of His return. This communal aspect of rejoicing is beautifully captured in the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:18, "Therefore encourage one another with these words."

The third aspect of Rejoicing in the Return of Christ is, it's a transformative experience. It's not a static, unchanging experience, but a dynamic, transformative joy. It's like a caterpillar that undergoes a metamorphosis to become a butterfly. Similarly, our rejoicing in the Return of Christ is a transformative joy that changes us from the inside out. It gives us a new perspective on life. It gives us a new purpose and direction. It gives us a new identity as children of God. It gives us a new hope that does not disappoint. It gives us a new strength to endure trials and tribulations. It gives us a new peace that surpasses all understanding. It gives us a new love that compels us to love God and others.

The final aspect of Rejoicing in the Return of Christ is that it's a missional experience. It's not a secluded, inward-looking experience, but an outward-looking, missional joy. It's like a lighthouse that shines its light to guide ships safely to the harbor. Similarly, our rejoicing in the Return of Christ is a missional joy that shines the light of Christ into the world. It compels us to share the good news of His return with others. It compels us to live lives that reflect His love and grace. It compels us to be His hands and feet in the world. 

Conclusion

In closing, let us take these truths to heart and let them shape our lives. Let us actively anticipate His return, let us share the joy of His return with others, let us allow the joy of His return to transform us, and let us shine the light of His return into the world. Let us truly rejoice in the Return of Christ. For He is soon to come. Riding on a cloud, every eye will see Him and every tongue will confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God.