"Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!" Psalm 126:5
"Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O Lord, God of hosts" Jeremiah 15:16
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." John 10:10
"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep" Romans 12:15
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice." Philippians 4:4
"Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you" 1 Thessalonians 5:18
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing." James 1:2-4
And overwhelming where
No tongue can tell
Christmas may not always be merry, but Christmas does always have this sense of joy that cannot come from the circumstances I may find myself in.
Just like my salvation, I am so thankful my joy is not found in anything I could do or say.
I am not the first to lose a loved one on Christmas morning. I am not the first to be hurt by people who attend a church claiming to be Christ followers. I am not the first to get an email on Christmas Eve that a birth mother has chosen another family.
Through the hurt, the pain, and the anger, joy always seems to surprise me in the end.
I am beyond thankful that in the midst of the circumstance, I can say "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" (Luke 2:14).
The Lord is the reason for this season we call Christmas and the Lord is the reason for the joy and peace I lean on when the days are dreary.
