Celebrate

Nehemiah 8:12 Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.

There are many verses that talk about celebrating “with great joy,” which is how Christmas ought to be observed.  But for many, joy is the furthest emotion from them at Christmas time.  Maybe you’re one of these.

Perhaps you’ve lost someone this past year, you or a family member is ill, or the work of gifts and wrapping and cooking has left you joyless. 

The reason the people in the above verse celebrated with great joy was because “they now understood the words that had been make known to them.”

Sorrow and sadness are a reality, they’re a part of our lives.   But so is joy. 

And we’re allowed, and even encouraged, to celebrate with joy.  It’s okay to sing a joyful tune, to skip about in glee, or to twirl in excitement with anticipation.

The words that were made known to the world when Jesus was born was that JOY had come to the world.  Jesus was the embodiment of JOY.  He brought joy to a dying world by offering them eternal life and right standing with a holy God.

You have a reason to be joyful today…so celebrate…with great joy.