John 15:11, 12
“I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you.” (CSB)

“I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love.” (MSG)

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It all comes down to this: Deepest joy and perfect love. 

That’s what Christmas is all about. 

God’s joy becomes our joy. That joy is perfected by him and in him. 

God’s love flows to us and through us. His perfect love casts out all fear. His perfect love draws all people near. 

The Grinch figured it out. 

And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow,
stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? 
It came without ribbons. 
It came without tags. 
It came without packages, boxes or bags. 
And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore. 
Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. 
What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. 
What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.
(Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas)

Christmas means joy to the world.

Christmas is evidence of all the love we hoped we would have. 

On this Sunday before that Fun Day, we will gather and sing. We will remember the first gift of Christmas. We will celebrate that Silent Night. We will ponder that Holy Night. We will prepare to share the joy and the love with the whole wide world. It’s what the world needs now. 

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I will receive and share the joy and the love of Christmas.

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Our Father, fill us to overflowing with your deep joy and perfect love. Use us to enrich Christmas for those who need your gracious gift of life filled with joy and love. Amen.