Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Joy to the World, verse 1
Let earth receive her King;
let ev’ry heart prepare him room
and heav’n and nature sing,
and heav’n and nature sing,
and heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.
Do you have a junk drawer? It’s a drawer, usually in a kitchen, containing various odds and ends. Here’s an incomplete inventory of my family junk drawer: pens, teacher notes, charging cables, stickers, and a box cutter. I could not even get the drawer all the way open because of a renegade cardboard pizza coupon that was hung up on the inside lip of the counter. It is a place of disorder, yet I find it hard to clean it out. Until I need to put something else in-then, sacrifices are made.
Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy, but that joy is contingent on the receiver. God freely gives joy to the world in the birth of King Jesus. The gift exists and is offered, but a gift only fulfills its purpose if it is received. The gift of joy can only be received if there is room prepared for the gift. If someone wanted to gift us a new couch, we would have to get rid of the old one to make room. When joy is offered, we must let go of the junk that prevents us from experiencing joy.
Unfortunately, we develop attachments to things that prevent our joy. An old grudge with that co-worker or an overwhelming desire for something you may never have. Those hindrances are called bitterness and entitlement, and they are just two. The more you release those roadblocks, the more room there is for joy.
The angels announced to the shepherds, I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. When we let joy in, heaven and nature sing. We rejoice because we found what we always longed for.
You have to clear space in your heart for the joy to enter in.
Accompanying Playlist
All hymns referenced throughout the series found in one spot. Some versions are traditional. Others…not so much. Enjoy!
Living Simply With God 