Even though yesterday was the first of Dec. today is day one that YouVersion is doing the advent reading plan. There were many differnt ones that you can chose from, I chose to take a look at Christmas Carols. Day one is called Joy to The World. The verses are from Nehemiah 8:10
10Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
I read the entire chapter of Nehemiah 8 to see a get abit more of a grasp which can be alot to grasp on what all they are talking about for this Christmas Carol. In Nehemiah 8 sounds like Ezra and the people are getting ready for a featival of some sort. Could it be Christmas? Nehemiah is a book in the Old Testimate, celebrating Christmas is I think slightly different, but not tons different I'm sure. Alot of the Old Testimate states signs and symbolizes and points toward Jesus coming in the New Testimate.
What dose Joy to the World have to do with it? Joy is mentioned through out the bible, for us to have, do things with a joyful heart, spread joy everywhere you go etc. This joy comes from the Lord, which points to Jesus.
Joy to the World, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King.
Isaac Watts wrote “Joy to the World” in 1719. Since then, every Christmas season, carolers cast those words into the air like a lifeline out into the ocean of humanity. And every “fish” surely finds something inviting and worth nibbling. The thrill of hope within the message spools out to touch a weary world with anticipation of tasting something truly good!
Joy came to the world because God, our great Creator, loved His creation so much that He sent His Son to reveal His story, so that over time, His character and ultimate good will toward mankind would be recognized. The impact on earth of Christ’s birth will never diminish despite enemies’ attempts to stop it. John 21:25 says that the world would not be able to contain the books that could be written about what the Lord did while on earth. Since then many more testimonies of His transforming love have been and will be written.
Nehemiah 8 records that Nehemiah, the leaders, and the people celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles with great joy, after sharing God’s Word. This season, we too can rejoice! We rejoice at the thought of the Savior’s birth, His purpose, and His inheritance.
Question:
What will you rejoice about during this Christmas season?
Wonderful thought! Thanks for sharing, and for reminding us that Christmas really is about JOY!
Thx, np, I know I'll rejoice about the fact that Christ came to this earth so many years ago for us and remind people its Christmas not x-mas, not seasons greetings, not happy holidays. it's Merry Christmas!