Read 1 Peter 1:6-9
Has there ever been a child who hasn’t felt she was suffering waiting for Christmas, seeing that date on the calendar and despairing that the day would never arrive?
Peter writes these verses to a church that was suffering much greater trials. The church may have wondered the reason for their suffering. Peter makes it clear. These trials are to show that their faith is of greater value than gold. He then offers a reminder about what is real. “You haven’t seen Jesus, but you love Him.” Inescapably true. “You don’t see him right now, but you believe in Him.” And the result of this? Being filled with “inexpressible and glorious joy.” Earlier in the passage, Peter says there will be even greater joy when Jesus is revealed.
Aa a parent, I loved my children the moment my wife revealed that she was pregnant. I didn’t know them, hadn’t seen them. I knew that the children were coming, but the wait seemed endless. A few grainy images were all that was revealed before the time came for delivery. We longed to hold our babies, in the flesh, to experience them with all our senses.
My wife’s labor with my daughter was long, over twenty-seven hours. The joy that came when the final stage was reached left us both in tears. My wife was ready. It was time to deliver the child. We were finally going to meet that child we had been waiting so long for.
As we celebrate Christmas, the same words, “I bring you glad tidings of great joy” still resonate. The first coming of Jesus brought joy to the world. The trials we face in this life are temporary and allowed for a greater purpose. That same joy is ours, through our faith. Christmas has come. The long-expected Savior has arrived!
For Reflection:
- How has Jesus filled you with joy today? How can you express that joy?
* Move Mary and Joseph and the donkey a little closer to the stable. Mary and Joseph were filled with JOY as the time for Jesus’ birth came closer. Move each of the Magi figures a little closer to the stable.
by Kevin Kelly
