Dear Christian friends:

Christmas is a day of great joy. The angel said to tell the shepherds, "I bring to you glad tidings of great joy which shall be for all people." The angel says this great joy is for "all people" but can everyone have great joy at Christmas? Can the lady who has cancer and expects to die in six months, can she have great joy at Christmas? Can those three children whose father shot their mother and himself two weeks ago in Bloomington, can those three children have great joy? Can the wife whose husband was killed in an auto accident last month, can she have great joy this Christmas?

Many people say, "no." But the wife and all these people can have great joy at Christmas. Whether they are in trouble or not makes no difference. Often those in deep trouble and sorrow find more joy at Christmas than others not in trouble. If you have the right idea about Christmas you can have great joy anytime, any place, in sorrow or not in sorrow.

In our text John says, "And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full." What things does John write here? The wonderful things about Jesus' birth. He shows:


First, John explains the basis for this great joy. In verses 1&2, "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)"

At the birth of Jesus the first Christians eternal life began to dawn and that eternal life is shinning today. It will be Noon and full light and day when Jesus comes again to be our Judge. Now eternal life is about 9:00 am. We may see this eternal life through Jesus the Word of Life. The Word that was made flesh on the first Christmas: "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)

John 17:3, "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." Life eternal! All people long to live forever! No sickness, no sorrow, no pain, no sin, no death or war or hatred! But love, joy and peace with God and with one another.

So the basis of real Christmas joy is Jesus Christ the eternal Son of God who was made flesh to live and die for our sin and then to rise again in glory everlasting.

Is your Christmas joy really established on Jesus Christ? Or do you establish your joy on Christmas eating and drinking, visiting friends and relatives and exchanging gifts? You will show this by what you do on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day. If your joy is really based on Jesus Christ you will let nothing hinder you from gathering here with Christian friends in joyful adoration praise and singing.

I don't know about you, but I would be very sad and disappointed if I couldn't go to church on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. A long time ago they even had second Christmas Day and third Christmas Day services. But today many base their Christmas joy on other things.

Prove to yourself that your joy is based on Christ. Be here in Church Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Let nothing not even Satan himself hinder you. You will be glad you did and your faith and joy will grow.

In our text John says, "We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ." (verse 3) If our joy is based on Jesus, "the Word made flesh" then we will multiply our joy and fellowship with other people who believe like we do. We will not be happy or satisfied to have Christmas with unbelievers and mockers, drinkers and drunkards like many Christmas dinners and many Christmas parties.

If your joy is based on Baby Jesus you will seek Christian company where you can talk and praise and sing the glory of your wonderful God and Savior.

If we have real joy at Christmas we will have fellowship with Christians, whose fellowship is with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ. But if your joy is based on Christmas eating and drinking and not on Baby Jesus, the Word made flesh, then you will be happy and satisfied to have worldly minded company and unbelieving fellowship this Christmas and after the party or dinner you will have an empty heart.

But if we listen to John and base our joy on Jesus Christ this Christmas then we will have a full heart even on December 26th. He says, "These things write we unto you, that your joy may be full."

Amen.