Need to Fill Up?

Merry Christmas – today we remember The Great Gift – may this news, this priceless once and for all gift, fill your heart with great joy!

For some this day will go by without any recognition, ignored by those who are in darkness. For some, they will celebrate the day, but not Who is being celebrated. For those who do know the Who and the Why – great joy will fill us. Yet knowing or not, it’s true that the gifts and food and shiny decorations pale in comparison to the Light of the world.

“Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 1:11 CSB)

For you! Our Savior is such a personal Savior. Not an authority wielding power, not a king wrapped up in aristocracy. But One who has personally known all the sorrows of being human – and all the joys of being one with God. And He longs for us to know that joy. He prepares us through each sorrow and smile – filling us with hope and walking with us through our sometimes tear-full journey.

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10 NIV)

The ‘thief’: all who oppose, deny, fill up on self and the world. Robbing themselves of joy in midst of all of life’s ups and downs. And wanting to steal it from us.

But we have the Promise: this isn’t all there is. We can find much to rejoice about day in and day out, no matter circumstances – but sin burdens our hearts and will always make us long for more. The more is not what money can buy, what power can grasp, or popularity can pretend.

 The more is Jesus. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13 NIV)

So fill-up this day and every day with Jesus. All our longings are met in Him. Yes, Merry is a filled-up heart!