Joy Happened

There is something about this word.
JOY.
Is it the way the letters are shaped??
They swoop.
They loop.
They curve.
They look happy.
Three letters.
Simple truth.
Joy.
A long time ago, in a land far away, a babe was born. Not just a regular, average, everyday babe. Although, in His humanity, He was.
It was His purpose that made His birth monumental.
His purpose was to save the world from the consequence of sin. It had eternal ramifications. We're talking about the single most important part of being a human.
Eternity. And our position in it.
Eternity. And our place with God.
Eternity. Love.
Eternity. Freedom.
Eternity. Hope.
Eternity. Forgiveness.
Eternity. Joy.

His purpose, our position.

And the beauty is that it is offered to all of us. We just need to see it. Accept truth for truth.
And that's where joy comes into the picture.
The happy little word that has magnificent impact way into the depths of our souls. It goes beyond the smile on your face. It goes beyond the pain on your face. It can reside so deep that when life throws arrows at you, they may penetrate but do not kill.
I love how the angels spoke to the shepherds who were in the fields on the night Jesus was born.

"But the angel reassured them, 'Don't be afraid. For I have come to bring you good news, the most joyous news the world has ever heard! And it is for everyone everywhere! For today in Bethlehem, a rescuer was born for you. He is the Lord Yahweh, the Messiah. You will recognize him by this miracle sign: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a feeding trough." (Luke 2:10, TPT)

This is a loaded verse.
Don't be afraid ~ there is hope!
Good news ~ much needed in a world where there is so much bad news. And in this Bible translation, it says, "the most joyous news the world has ever heard"! Good news of great joy.
For everyone ~ all humans everywhere can receive this news!
A rescuer ~ a Saviour. To save us from an eternity separated from God; an eternity suffering the consequence of sin. A rescuer to swoop in and save because of love.
A sign ~ a direction to a small babe, swaddled, lying in a manger. And upon following up on what the angel told them, the shepherds found the baby Saviour and glorified and praised God. They rejoiced, you may say.

Joy happened.

There is something about this word.
The swooping, curving, happy-looking letters lead to a place so full of purpose and hope, that its impact should bring us to our knees.
In worship. In thankfulness. In humility.

Have joy, my friends! Let it bubble up from the depths. Let it rise up and out.
Rejoice! A Saviour has been born!
Joy to the world!

"Restore to me the joy of your salvation ... " (Psalm 51:12, NLT)