Today is the Third Sunday in Advent, and our Advent Theme this year means that today is the Sunday of Rejoicing. It makes me stop and think about the real underlying message of Christmas—an essential ingredient in God's eternal plan to redeem lost (fallen) humankind and restore us to a mutually-satisfying relationship with Him. Nearly every character making an appearance in the Christmas story, whether shepherds or wise men, Simeon, Anna…even the "little drummer boy!" (yes, okay, that was just for fun…) all responded with rejoicing at the news that the Messiah had arrived.For this reason, most of the music of Christmas is joyful in its expression, and that music which is not joyful, like the melancholy "Blue Christmas" and other songs, is person-focused rather than Christ-focused. When considering the "good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people", it is the most natural of responses to rejoice and be glad.
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for the joy of living and the joy of knowing You, and because of Jesus, the certainty of doing both…forever.
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