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When was the last time you were really excited? Did you shout, jump up and down, or clap your hands?  It seems that the older we get the less expressive we are in our joy. Are we too serious, too dignified, or could it be we have forgotten that we have reason to celebrate?

The coming of Christmas reminds us of the source of incredible joy. God Almighty came to earth to reveal Himself to all mankind. Jesus was born.  He lived a perfect life and died as our substitute so that we could have a relationship with God and live with Him forever.

At the beginning of Jesus’ life, while He was still within Mary’s womb, Elizabeth, the mother John the Baptist, couldn’t suppress her joy when she greeted Mary.

“In a loud voice [Elizabeth] exclaimed: ‘Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy’” (Luke 1:42 – 44, NIV).

Near the end of Jesus life, there was another time of joyful expression:

“When [Jesus] came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Luke 19:37, 38, NIV)

The Pharisees wanted Jesus to silence His disciples, but He replied, “…If they keep quiet, the stones will cry out” (Luke 19:40, NIV).

This Christmas, let’s give our whole selves to the celebration of Christ’s birth. We wouldn’t want the rocks to have to start shouting.

Heavenly Father, I want to shout and leap for joy to thank You and praise You for sending Jesus our Savior.  Amen.

Questions: How do you best express joy? How can you be intentional about sharing the joy of Jesus this Christmas?

About the Author Suzanne Benner