The Priceless Gift of Joy

Joy to the world, the Lord has come.

Into this beautiful world, 

and into this world filled with chaos and tears, 

Joy has come. 

Even in the midst of the wind and the storms, 

in our pain and in our losses, 

Joy has come. 

Isn't this what all of mankind longs for? 

What we all desire?

We look for joy everywhere, 

and we look for joy everyday. 

We are made for this - to long for deep-rooted happiness, 

the kind that bubbles up from within.

And we are not left alone to find this sought-after treasure ... 

we are told where to find what we long for.

You make known to me the path of life;

in Your presence there is fullness of joy;

at Your right hand

are pleasures forevermore.

(Psalm 16:11 ESV)

In our times of celebration,

when we are in need ...

Wherever we are,

whatever our situation,

there is JOY close by,

with us, within. 

With Him.

I bring you good news

that will bring great joy to all people.

The Savior - yes, the Messiah, the Lord - 

has been born ...

(from Luke 2:10-11 NLT))

 ... they will call Him Immanuel,

which means 'God is with us'.

(Matthew 1:23 NLT)

Into this beautiful world, 

and into this world filled with chaos and tears, 

Joy has come. 

Even in the midst of the wind and the storms, 

in our pain and in our losses, 

Joy has come.

Lord, how can we thank You? For IMMANUEL - God with us. For JOY, as "in Your presence is fullness of joy". JOY - close by, available to us, within us ... in the sunshine and in the rain, in the hard and in the good. There is always JOY to be found, for You are with us.

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Linking up with Bonnie's #OneWordAdvent

Note: My blog will be quiet for the next week or two, as I'll be celebrating with family, and reflecting on the gifts of this beautiful season. You'll find me back here shortly before we turn the page to a brand New Year! Have a blessed Christmas with your loved ones!