Joy

This Saturday, our church will present The Nativity Story, an outdoor Christmas experience that will prayerfully remind children, students, and adults why we can always experience joy. I am not implying we can always be happy, which we know is impossible. However, when we are in the presence of Jesus and know Him as our Savior, we should leap for joy as John did in his mother’s womb (Luke 1:44). God sent Jesus so we may have reconciliation, which is why it is “good news of great joy” (Luke 2:10).

Throughout The Nativity Story, people will hear and see God’s loving plan for His people as they drive or walk through this experience. Amazingly, it is estimated Jesus’ parents, Joseph and Mary, traveled three days and roughly 90 miles (Nazareth to Bethlehem) to deliver JOY to the world. The birth of Jesus brought hope, joy, and peace to anyone who believed He is the Christ. The apostle Paul writes to the believers in Rome, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope” (Romans 15:13). Paul was encouraging unity amongst the believers in this passage that is only through the belief of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Those who attend The Nativity Story will not have to walk or drive 90 miles (or three days) to find joy because He is already here waiting for them to believe in Him.

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