The true joy of Christmas (Is. 62:6–12)

“And they shall be called The Holy People, The Redeemed of the LORD; and you shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.” The arrival of the Son of God as a human being, and what he would ultimately do for us, is the only true source of lasting joy at Christmas.

Nabbing a Christmas tree from an undisclosed location and decorating it as a family. Singing Silent Night by candlelight on Christmas Eve. Singing Joy to the World on Christmas Day. Lunch with prawns and nan’s famous cucumber salad. Having a nap in the afternoon after said lunch. Reading very poor jokes and wearing paper crowns despite how uncomfortable they are.

There are some things that it just wouldn’t be Christmas without. Some families have stronger traditions than others, but we all have something that is simply non-negotiable at Christmas time.

The decorating, feasting, gift-giving, carol-singing, and nativity-play-watching are not the source of joy­ at Christmas. They might contribute to it, but they are not the source. It would, in fact, still be Christmas without any or all of these things.

Sure, call me a Grinch, and that’s probably fair, but it’s true. The source of joy at Christmas is in that boy in a manger, of course, and what he changed.

As Olivia and I spend our first Christmas away from our families, this comes as both a reality check and a word of encouragement. Let me tell you why:

• The true joy of Christmas is not dependent on how joyful you feel

• The true joy of Christmas happens to you no matter what this Christmas looks like

The true joy of Christmas is not dependent on how joyful you feel.

We all find ourselves in very different spaces at this time of year. Some of us are charged up and can’t wait for the festivities to begin. Some of us are just appreciative that we can gather for meals in homes again. Some of us are dreading that family lunch that we’re obliged to attend. Some of us are facing a difficult Christmas without a loved one. Some of us are reminded of what we don’t have while everyone else seems to have plenty.

Whatever end of the emotional spectrum you’re on at this moment, the true joy of Christmas can be yours. Food, family, and festivities (or lack of) are not the main show. It’s very hard to believe that when that’s what we’re all thinking about.

Christmas is about restoration. Through Isaiah, God proclaimed to a nation that had been exiled from their home that they would be able to return via a safe and clear highway. God proclaimed to a nation that never got to enjoy the fruit of their hard work because of the oppression they were under that they’ll feast and drink wine from their own labours. Nothing is better than a hard-earned thirst. Who knew that an advertisement for Victoria Bitter could be so biblical…

The people of Israel were devastated, lost, and hopeless. God speaks to them, “Behold, your salvation comes!” He would allow them to return to their homeland, but this promise would eventually be fulfilled when Jesus comes to save the whole world from exile.

By coming into the world to one day die for all sin on the cross, Jesus rescues all people from being separated and exiled from God.

Once we recognise that we do in fact need to be saved, the arrival of the Saviour is truly good news of great joy.

Those of us that are exhausted at the end of a huge year (myself being a part of that group) or even dreading a difficult week or so might have a heightened sense of needing to be saved. When our own strength and stamina runs out, or our world crumbles around us, we have no choice but to rely on help from outside of ourselves. We, who have faith in a God who is with us, have somewhere to look to for that help and salvation.

The true joy of Christmas is not found in our own sense of happiness, but in the salvation that Jesus brings.

The true joy of Christmas happens to you no matter what this Christmas looks like.

Whether this Christmas is the same as always for you, or if it’s entirely different from past years, the true joy of Christmas is still yours to receive anew again this year.

The story itself is the same. The good news of Jesus’ arrival in the world is the same. The angels’ song and the shepherds’ joy is the same. Yet, since this time last year, our world has changed. Our context changes all the time, with all of our different events and chapters that we journey through.

How has this year been for you?

Do you feel a bit like the Israelites did in exile, feeling distant from home and nothing is quite as comfortable as it once was? Maybe you have endured some unexpected challenges this year. Maybe you’re exhausted from constant changes and having to adapt.

Or, has it been a year of restoration and returning to how things used to be as COVID restrictions have gradually lifted? Do you feel more settled than you did this time last year?

Whatever this Christmas looks like—a return to the old or another case of new—the true joy of Christmas happens to you.

Joy is not a feeling and it’s not an emotion. It’s something that happens because of the boy that arrived at Christmas and what he would grow up to do for the world.

“Behold, your salvation comes; behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him.”

Jesus comes to set things right. Jesus comes to set you right. Jesus comes to give you His joy, no matter who you are, what you’ve done, what this Christmas looks like for you, or how joyful you feel or not.

Receive Him and His joy as He comes to you again this Christmas Day. Amen.