And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep.” For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law.
Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved.” And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them.
Nehemiah 8:9-12
We sing "Joy to the World" at Christmas time, but it seems there is no joy this year. I sat on a bench near the door of a Wal-Mart store four days before Christmas and watched the faces of the shoppers. No one was smiling and there certainly seemed to be no joy!
I had seen those faces before in the early 1970's when I spent a couple of days in the old Soviet Union. It appeared that no one was happy, or smiling, and there seemed to be no joy, only sadness and even fear.
Some are saying that we are becoming like the Russians in the transformation of our government. I don't know if that is right or not but our faces do look like theirs.
I not only remember the sad faces of those oppressed people of more than 40 years ago, but I also remember the joy on the faces of almost everyone at Christmas time here in this country! That was before we threatened people with "legal action" if they mentioned Jesus Christ or even God in public places!
So when you take Christ out of Christmas you also take the Joy out of the world! You and I may not be able to restore the rightful place of God in our country, but we can put Christ back in our Christmas and let the Joy come back to our hearts.
This year let the Joy come to your heart from Jesus because there is no joy in the world! And when you do be sure and let the Joy of the Lord be seen on your face. Then go to Wal-Mart and walk around smiling at everyone you meet!
"Lord Jesus may the "Joy of the Lord" be my strength today, and may everyone see that joy on my face. Let Joy itself be a witness of Your love for all the world! And may You be praised forever. Amen."
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