JOY TO THE WORLD

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How possible will it be for you to bring to the world joy this Christmas season?

How possible

How possible will it be for you to bring joy to your country this Christmas season?

How possible will it be for you to bring joy to your city this Christmas season?

How possible will it be for you to bring joy to your family this Christmas season?

Does answering these questions sound impossible? It is… but not with God

Luke 1:34–38 NSFLB

Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God. “Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. “For with God nothing will be impossible.” Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

How would you react if you were Mary or even Joseph?

I believe these two helped bring joy to the world by not reacting. Instead, they responded

A reaction is survival-oriented and on some level a defense mechanism. It might turn out okay but often a reaction is something you regret later. A response on the other hand usually comes more slowly. It's based on information from both the conscious mind and unconscious mind. - Psychology Today

The angel told Mary that The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you.

That same OVERSHADOWED is used to describe the glory cloud over the tabernacle with the Israelites in the desert (). It is also used to describe the cloud overshadowing the mountain during the transfiguration story ().

Like in the following stories, God’s overshadowing presence, created life (Jesus birth), direction (Israelites in the desert), and perspective (Transfiguration - this is my Son, listen to Him).

So how do we bring Joy to the world, our country, city, families?

By turning our reactions to our circumstances and environment, into thought out responses, both consciously and unconsciously.

But our responses need to be overshadowed by His presence in our lives. We need His presence in our 24/7, daily lives.

The same power that was in the cloud at the transfiguration story, that transformed Jesus into a state of glory, is the same power that we have in us that can transform the way we think into Heaven’s Ways.

Romans 12:1–2 NIV

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

And Heaven’s Ways are to bring Joy to the world through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!

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