Advent – Hope in Jesus
Thursday, December 10
Advent – Hope in Jesus
These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
Today’s Christmas carol is Joy to the World.
In John 16, we find Jesus speaking with the disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane before being arrested. In the face of death, Jesus turns to His disciples and reassures them that regardless of the guaranteed trouble they will face in this world, they can have joyful courage and peace because He has already overcome the world! The shepherds followed the great light created for them, hundreds of years after the creation of the world. The Light of the World came to lead you to Himself as well as all of those you know to the greatest joy this world has ever known.
This is why we shout, joy to the world. Salvation was brought to us from heaven to a cradle filled with straw.
Christ knew they would experience heartbreak, grief, and confusion in the face of His death. Yet, He also knew that the outcome of His resurrection and the down-pouring of the Holy Spirit would surpass the pain they had experienced and would experience in the future. This great joy.