Where Does it Come From?

I have been listening to a lot of Christmas music. After all, now that Thanksgiving is over, 'tis the season. Right?

One song that has been coming on and on again is "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year."

And I have always thought, yes, Andy Williams got it right. It is the most wonderful time of the year.

But why?

Last year at this time, it was certainly not the most wonderful time of the year. It was a Christmas unlike any other. Joy was non-existent. It was a time of year I look back on and shudder. Things were not really going uphill, though I tried to convince myself they were.

But why is this year different? Because I've gotten better? Because things in life have turned around? Because I've gotten better friends? Because teaching has been going well?

While those are all certainly things that multiply my joy, they are not why I'm so much looking forward to the Christmas season this year.

Joy doesn't come from those things. And I think that was my fault last year.

I was looking for joy in all the wrong places. I looked on TV. I looked in my family. I looked for it in friendships. I looked for it in Christmas trees and songs. I looked everywhere except the only place it could be found.

Joy comes from Jesus alone.

Joy appears in the NIV Bible 242 times. I found Psalm 28:7 during a devotional... My heart leaps for joy and with song I praise Him.


Jesus fills our hearts with joy, because He is perfect. All of those earthly things I mentioned above can lead to fear, disappointment, let down, hurt, discouragement, and hopelessness.

But Jesus can only lead us to joy and to life everlasting.

Are you lacking joy in your life? Look to Jesus. Joy comes from Him alone.

My heart is leaping for joy. Not only because it's Advent/Christmas time, but because He has filled me and made me whole.