“No One Will Take Your Joy” (John 16: 33, ESV) by Carley Evans

Here in this world, Jesus tells us we will have trouble; we will have tribulation. But, He also promises that He has overcome this world; therefore we are able to take heart. Even in the deepest pain, we find His peace is available.

“You will be sorrowful,” says Jesus. “But your sorrow will turn into joy. When a woman is giving birth, she has sorrow because her hour has come, but when she has delivered the baby, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” (John 16: 20 – 22)

Jesus sings of His death and resurrection through the psalmist, David: “I will extol You, O Lord, for You have drawn Me up and have not let My foes rejoice over Me. O Lord My God, I cried to You for help, and You have healed Me. O Lord, You have brought up My soul from Sheol; You restored Me to life from among those who go down to the pit. Sing praises to the Lord, O you His saints, and give thanks to His holy Name. For His anger is but for a moment, and His favor lasts for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30: 1 – 5)

Like Jesus before us, we leave suffering behind. Joy returns to us in the morning. And no one will take it away.

“Trust Me; I Do Not Lie” (John 14: 1 – 3, ESV) by Carley Evans

Jesus tells us not to be troubled. In His Father’s house are many rooms. Jesus makes each room ready for one of His brothers or sisters, for one of His Father’s children. Where He is, we will be eventually. Jesus says that if this were not true, He would not say it.

Jesus promises that He will come back to “take [us] to [Himself].”

Therefore, we are not to worry. No fretting is allowed. Instead, Jesus commands us to believe in God, and to also believe in Him. ‘Trust Me,’ says Jesus. ‘I do not lie.’

” ‘And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion?’ ” (Luke 11: 9 – 12)

Jesus reminds us that He is good; and He gives only good gifts. ‘Trust Me,’ says Jesus. ‘I do not lie.’

“Jesus’ Easy Yoke” (Matthew 11: 28, ESV) by Carley Evans

Do you labor under a heavy weight? Are you burdened in your day to day existence? Jesus says, “Come to Me. I will give you rest.”

Jesus tells us to take His yoke upon ourselves. We are to learn from Him. Jesus claims to be “gentle and lowly in heart.” (Matthew 11: 29) He says that His “yoke is easy, and [His] burden is light.” (Matthew 11: 30)

What exactly makes Jesus’ yoke easy?

When I was little, I wanted my own way most of the time. I said ‘No’ a lot, especially to my parents. I can’t think of a single instance in which this made me happier than if I’d just said ‘Yes’ to my parents. Not one. I can’t think of a time when wanting and getting my own way helped me. My stubborn heart has harmed me more often than not.

Jesus says, “I Am gentle and lowly in heart.” Jesus, who is God, claims to be humble! He claims to set aside Himself for others. His yoke is light; His burden virtually non-existence because He puts others above Himself! He dies for the world! He sets aside His own glory for others!

Jesus calls us to enter His rest. We are to rest from our own work, and step inside His. Jesus has finished His work; and His yoke is easy to wear: light and not burdensome. His yoke calls us to set aside our own stubborn willfulness and give to others that which He gives to us — Himself.

“Forget Not” (Psalm 103: 2 – 3, ESV) by Carley Evans

“Forget not all His benefits.”

This is a great command. Remember each day, each moment, the good things God is doing for you. Remember how He knit you together in your mother’s womb; remember His bringing you into the world; remember His loving-kindnesses to you.

God is good.

No evil thing comes from Him.

Therefore, lift up your voice to Him in praise and thanksgiving. He forgives you all your sins; He heals all your diseases.

Bless His Holy Name.

“For The Rest Of The World” (Luke 2: 28 – 32, NIV) by Carley Evans

For any of us who might in the secret depths of our hearts think that Caucasians are somehow better than the rest of the world’s populations; let us recall that Jesus is the “glory of Israel.” Jesus is an Israelite, a Jew. He is not a blonde, blue-eyed, well tanned white man. He does not look like me; rather He looks like people who live in the Middle East. He may in fact look like some of our present day enemies.

I notice many images of Jesus created do not look remotely like my present day enemies. Here I am referring to those cowardly zealots of Islam who destroyed the World Trade Center and many lives in 2001.

When I look at pretty images of Jesus, I make a concerted effort to alter them in my mind’s eye for Isaiah tells us that nothing about Jesus was particularly attractive. I also remember Jesus is a Jew.

Simeon, as he holds the eight day old infant Jesus, proclaims Him to be the “glory of Israel;” but he also steps out of his comfort zone and declares Jesus will be a “revelation for the gentiles.” Simeon is a man like any other of his time; he does not associate with gentiles. But he recognizes that this child is the Christ, the Messiah who is come for Israel first, and then for the rest of the world.

“God’s Son Is Given” (Isaiah 9: 6, NIV) by Carley Evans

For us, God’s Son is given.

He is our Prince of Peace, our Everlasting Father, our Wonderful Counselor. He is the Mighty God come in the shape of a newborn infant in a manger.

He is completely helpless, totally dependent upon His human parents to provide shelter, clothing, food, guidance, love.

The government rests on Him. He speaks in the temple at twelve years of age with authority which comes directly from God, the Father. He spends forty days in the wilderness with our adversary and overcomes him with the Word of God, setting for us an example. He goes to John the Baptist to be baptized and receive the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove. Obedience marks His life. Again, He sets for us an example.

He preaches to us to love our enemies, to do good to those who misuse or even hate us.

God’s Son is given unto us. May we accept Him in His fullness.

“Come; See For Yourself” (Luke 2: 16 – 20, ESV) by Carley Evans

When I get good news, I want to share it.

So it is with the shepherds who rush to find Mary and Joseph in the nearby manger, seeing that the Christ child is born just as they were told by the angel.

The shepherds worship God, praising Him for His gift of salvation in progress.

Then, they go out to tell others of the good news. This is a natural inclination of people — the desire to share the good we have found in our lives. The best sharing is that which emerges from within; not an artificial trumpeting, but a soft voice saying, ‘Look here at what great event has happened among us! Come and see for yourself!’

‘Jesus is born!’

“The Sign Of God’s Favor” (Luke 2: 11 – 14, ESV) by Carley Evans

The baby in the manger is the sign from God which Israel awaits. Prophets through the ages are speaking of this event, and when it comes an angel announces to shepherds that in the city of David, the Christ is born.

The good news is for the world, but specifically for men and women upon whom God’s favor rests.

Some protest that God should not show favor, but He has from the beginning. He favors Mary to carry the Christ child; He favors Joseph to be Jesus’ earthy father. The angel appears to specific shepherds in fields nearby. Jesus Himself chooses the twelve disciples from among many others.

And, all know that Israel is God’s chosen nation, which emerges from one man, Abram who is also chosen by God from among others.

The baby in the manger, wrapped in cloths, is the sign of God’s favor not only to the Israelite but to the Gentile beyond.

And suddenly with the angel is a heavenly host praising God.

“The Good News” (Luke 2: 8 – 11, ESV) by Carley Evans

Shepherds live out in the fields with their sheep. They stand watch over each and every one of them. The night is long, dark. Perhaps they take turns sleeping.

Angels appear, announcing the birth of a Savior in the city of David — David, who is also a shepherd, one of some note.

The angels come to humble men in the midst of their occupation. (Jesus does this often. He finds Peter the fisherman in the midst of fishing, Matthew the tax collector in the midst of collecting taxes. He interrupts lives, saying ‘Come, follow Me.’)

The angels interrupt the shepherds, announcing that a Savior is born to them. The Savior is come to save them.

This is Jesus’ message. He tells us He has come to save us from ourselves, from our sins, from our separation from God, from death itself. This is the good news.

“No Room” (Luke 2: 6 -7, ESV) by Carley Evans

Jesus is born in a manger because there is no room in the inn. I imagine Joseph and Mary outside, looking for a place to stay, a place for Mary to have her child. The inns are full because of Caesar Augustus’ call for a world census. People are on the move.

An innkeeper is kind enough to offer his manger to the couple. A humble beginning for sure.

I imagine other innkeepers turning Joseph away, not having a place. These individual business owners do not see the potential in this young couple; they do not notice the star glowing in the night sky; they do not feel in their hearts the call of God. They do not hear the angels singing in the distance.

Let us be certain that we open our hearts this week to the coming of our Lord. Let us recognize the star over Bethlehem that calls us to worship the Christ child. Let us rejoice in Jesus, our Savior.