Christmas can be a difficult time of the year for many people. Instead of celebrating, there can be a heaviness in remembering what is past, what has been lost, who has died, or what will never be the same. There can be the desire of wanting the season to pass and move forward to a hopefully better year. Yet, we know this to be a time of remembering the birth of the Savior and celebrating our salvation, of remembering the Lord’s gracious love for us to send His Son to be the complete, once for all sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin. John wrote to help us through the struggles and trials, reminding us of truth. In his short letter he focused on Jesus, whom he knew personally. That which was from the beginning… concerning the word of life…that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you… and we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete (1 John 1.1-4).
Complete joy! This is not happiness which comes from events or circumstances in our lives; not the momentary burst of emotion which comes after receiving good news about a loved one or activity. Rather, this is the deep-rooted, heart-filled joy which comes from knowing the truth of the Gospel, from knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. John was descriptive regarding the person of Jesus Christ. He was from the beginning – eternal, having no beginning and no end. He is the word of life – in Christ are all words of life, life which comes through the work of the Spirit to breathe into our dead, sinful bodies true life, by which we are able to know the Lord as Savior, to see Him as the God of all creation, to begin understanding the Gospel, the truth of forgiveness, and the fulness of His grace, mercy, and steadfast love. He is the giver of eternal life – giving to each believer an eternal inheritance in His holy presence. He gives to us fellowship… with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ – a full and open relationship with the eternal, Triune God. Herein is true and lasting joy, which is only possible through the person of Jesus Christ, through knowing Him, believing He is the Son of God, our Redeemer; believing He is God Incarnate, who came to earth, lived, died, was buried, rose again, ascended to heaven, and someday will return to take His own to be with Him eternally. At this time of the year, and always, and in the presence of everyday circumstances, may we rejoice and have true joy in Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
Knowing Jesus – we have much to be thankful for –
Terry
My Morning Desk 