What brings you joy?
by Pastor Jim Strelan
Click here to download your printable verse to carry with you today.
But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you news of great joy that will be for all the people’ (Luke 2:10).
Read Luke 2:1–14 (15–20)
Nick Cave is an Australian singer and songwriter whom I greatly admire. I can’t get into his music, but I have great respect for the man. Over four or so years, he tragically lost two sons. He speaks a lot about grief, loss, finding purpose and faith in God. After answering thousands of questions from people subscribed by email to his online community The Red Hand Files, he was asked if he had a question to ask, and he did. His question was, ‘What brings you joy?’
So, I ask you to spend a moment to answer that question, and if you are reading this with someone else, then share your responses. One of the things that brings me joy is when my little grandchildren run with open arms to my wife and me when we turn up somewhere they are. It’s a beautiful thing and brings joy.
On this night we sing, ‘Joy to the world; the Lord is come’. The angel of the Lord brought a message to the shepherds of good news and joy for all people. You look around you, especially at the children’s faces, and you see joy. Their delight might not always come from the birth of the Christ-child in the manger as we might prefer, but joy is infectious, and whatever its cause, it’s a great thing.
One of my favourite Bible verses is Psalm 30:5b: ‘Tears may flow in the night, but joy comes in the morning.’ The night is a period of time, short or long. But joy comes. It comes because God is in the things we deal with in life. That’s Christmas. Immanuel – God with us. If the joy of Christmas is difficult for you to recognise right now because of how things are for you, be assured there is joy awaiting you. It’s the joy of and from the Lord. And as the angel said, it is good news. And if it comes easily, thank God for it and let it infuse you.
Fill me, Lord God, with the joy that comes from you. Tonight, I celebrate the birth of Jesus – joy to the world. Amen.
Jim is a retired pastor who lives with his wife, Ruth, on the north side of Brisbane. He is a proud and not very humble Brisbane Lions supporter. Jim likes to read, listen to music and play golf. He and Ruth love being with their young grandchildren and watching them grow. For Jim, grace is everything, and he will share that however and whenever possible.
- Click here to read previous devotions.
- We are also posting them on LCA Facebook, making it easy for you to share them with family and friends.
- Sign up to receive Daily Devotion in your inbox every morning. If you’re already doing that, please encourage others to sign up. Click here for the link.
