How awesome it was that night long ago in the field near Bethlehem, with God’s glory shining all around as the shepherds received the news of great joy! It was that night God the Father gave the world the greatest gift of love, His Son. How great the joy was in heaven that night as the King of kings, Savoir of the world enter in as a tiny little baby lying in a manger. Heaven’s next celebration of joy was 33 years later when Jesus lovingly laid down His life on the cross to be the final sacrifice for our sins and rose on the third day victorious over death.
It was the love of God for us that gave us this great joy. As we grow in love so does our joy begin to grow. When we give our love to others they also receive joy and our joy grows more.
“Joy is the infallible sign of the presence of God.” — Pierre Tielhard de Chardin
This is what Jesus was talking about in John 15, about abiding in His love so our joy will be full. A branch that is broken on the vine can’t get all the nourishment that it needs and starts to die and wither. The same with us, unless we are attached to the True Vine and taking in His love our can dry up.
Stay in His love. Share His love. Your joy will grow.
Bonnie Sue Writes 