Joy Over Despair

A couple weeks ago I asked about our favorite Christmas songs/carols. This season I have been paying more attention to the lyrics. Though the words are not new to us I am finding hope, peace, and even this day joy in them.

I heard the bells on Christmas Day Their old, familiar carols play, and wild and sweet The words repeat Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And thought how, as the day had come, The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along The unbroken song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Till ringing, singing on its way, The world revolved from night to day, A voice, a chime, A chant sublime Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

Then from each black, accursed mouth The cannon thundered in the South, And with the sound The carols drowned Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

It was as if an earthquake rent The hearth-stones of a continent, And made forlorn The households born Of peace on earth, good-will to men!

And in despair I bowed my head; "There is no peace on earth," I said; "For hate is strong, And mocks the song Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: "God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men."

I think of the words of the hymn we sang last week, a “weary world rejoices” and sometimes my initial reaction is, “yeah right”.

The world is dark.

Luke 2:9–11 NIV

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

We need Christmas!

I realize that many of us would agree. The question is just what type of Christmas. But, I am wondering this morning if we have not been given a gift this year. In the midst of the darkness, hate, cynicism, the despair and all the disruptions we are given the chance to re-discover the true mean of Christmas, church, worship, discipleship, and how to be the people of God.

In the midst of darkness and if we are not careful the despair which comes from the darkness we must let the carols and songs of Christmas remind us this morning:

Joy is available!

We read the words above. We will sing them next week as we sing Joy to the World. But we are reminded on this third sunday in advent, the Sunday of Joy, of how we need it not just next week but today.

Open up your Bible with me to the prophet Isaiah the 61st chapter. I believe we can see where joy is available to us in these days, or especially because of these days.

The Messiah is at work.

These are traits of the messiah or the Lord’s Anointed as we find it in the book. We may be familiar with the first verse because Jesus quotes these words when he reads from the synagogue and boldly proclaims, “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4.21) Yet, we see throughout all his ministry the good news he proclaimed encompassed and fulfilled all of what was said in the book of Isaiah.

Jesus provides comfort.

We only

A spirit of joy over despair.

This is the gift of God.

The future is brighter than the past.

The inheritance of our future glory pales in comparison with the riches of our present. It is also covers the shame of our despair, disgrace, and hatred.

Do you believe?

Our hearts want to possibly shout, absolutely! But our minds and bodies may say, “I’m not sure anymore!” In moments when I am torn between belief and doubt I am reminded of one of the most honest prayers found in the Gospel by a man who asked Jesus to heal his son. He uttered this prayer, “I believe, help me in my unbelief.” (Mark 9.24)

Belief is submitting.

We cannot retain control any longer.

Belief is receiving.

This is not a health and wealth but I do believe there are gifts Jesus wants to give His people that we do not get because we are too busy with other things in our hands.

The secondary benefit of any “disease, shame, victim mentality, etc.”.

The promise: we became oaks of joy.

I know Isaiah says righteousness. But if we grasp the gifts Christ gives us then because of the gift of righteousness in Christ which is available to all we will have joy. It is a by-product of things.

Receive Christ’s gifts for and to you.

This is our first step to overcoming despair with joy. Yet it does not end there.

Give the gifts of Jesus!

In Isaiah the promise was not just they would be oaks unto themselves. Or they would receive and not do anything with it. But instead they would be priests of the Lord. They would then give to others the gifts they have been given.