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…the fruit of the Spirit is……joy

~ Galatians 5:22

Good morning dear sister!

How are you today? Is the first word that comes to your mind “joyful”? I’ll admit that the first word that came to my mind when I asked myself that question today was “busy”. 

This is a time of year when “busy” describes nearly everyone! We are continuously making plans, changing plans, carrying out those plans, regretting some of those plans…. wearing ourselves out with busyness!

This is the time of year when we celebrate the Lord’s birth, why wouldn’t we be busy making preparations? (like every good “Martha”? hmmm) But from God’s perspective, the word “joy” accompanies the ‘reason for the season’! “Good tidings of great joy!”, the angels proclaimed in Luke 2:10. “You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice over his birth". (Luke 1:14) and “When they saw the star they were overjoyed.” (Matthew 2:10) I suppose that we could be wishing each other a “Joyful Christmas!” 

What is this joy? The Holman Bible dictionary defines joy as ‘the fruit of a right relation with God; it is not something people can create by their own efforts, but the happy state that results from serving and knowing God.’

I don’t know about you, but even while I yearn to know God, it is really hard for me to imagine my Lord as joyful. But I realize that that is my limitation, not His! All I have to do is look at the extravagance of His magnificent Hand and I can see the joy in all His creation! Just look at the sky! Try to count the stars! The multitude and wonder of species of every living thing on the earth! The numbers of wildflowers and trees growing along the highways! The fruit of God’s extravagance is joy made tangible! 

This is the time of year we remember that He came to us. No longer far away in the heavenlies somewhere, but Immanuel, God with us! Our Savior, came to us, wrapped in human flesh, so that all who believe in Him might be wrapped in His Holy Spirit, tied together with an extravagant bow of His fruits! Love! Joy! Peace! Goodness! Faithfulness! Patience! Gentleness! Kindness! Self-control! (Gal. 5:22)

In Him, we can be joyful, even in our busyness!

So, consider this my dear one, if having a right relation with God brings joy to the human heart and soul, and I believe it does, why not take time out to sit with Him for a few minutes? Or read the scriptures referenced above from your own Bible? The holidays will come and go in a blink, but the wrappings of God’s love will keep you joyful all your days!

God bless you and Joyful Christmas!

With love, your sister, Celeste