The Promise of Joy

 By: Joanne Viola

This time of the year is filled with promises. Promises of gifts, of time spent together with family and friends, of laughter and of remembering. Let’s pause to remember other promises which we have been given.

“The promise that is born today.”

The birth of Jesus was a promise fulfilled. He also is the promise; and through Him every promise finds it fulfillment.

“For as many as are the promises of God, in Him they are yes;
therefore also through Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us.” 
(2 Corinthians 1:20, NASB)

“With your heart hold onto Jesus.”

His desire is that we would love Him – fully, wholly, completely. He wants that we love Him with our affections, with our personalities, and with our thoughts.

“And He said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ ”
(Matthew 22:37, NASB)

“For the hope He brought is living on.”

I don’t know about you but I am in need of hope. Constantly. Hope does not disappoint us because He alone is our hope.

“And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out
within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.“
(Romans 5:5, NASB)

“He still changes lives.“

I am so grateful that He changed my life. I can just come to Him, the One who is the Christmas miracle, and He still performs miracles. Christ came and He still comes. He comes to each one of us and offers us the gift. The gift of His grace. His grace – which covers a multitude of sins. Mine and yours. His grace is still changing lives.

“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.“
(John 1:12, NASB)

“Joy to the world, the Lord is come!”

Has the promise of Christmas escaped you this year? Take a few minutes to quiet yourself before Him and reflect on one of the Scriptures above.

Photo by Chris Kursikowski on Unsplash