Philippians 4:4 – Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.

It is so easy to celebrate at Christmastime. Although we may be wrapping ourselves tighter inside our coats, we’re also wrapping gifts for all those we care about. The things we do at this time of year bring us joy, but let us not forget the reason for the season. Even though Jesus’ birth is celebrated, the very purpose of His coming was to serve as a perfect sin offering: He came to die. Christ was on a mission to inform the world that there is so much more than what our five senses can bring to us. This place can often be hard and cruel – Jesus’ own people cried out for His death. However, the fact that Jesus stayed the course and went willingly and without argument to His death, in our place, may not appear on the face of it to be joyful, but His resurrection and the promise that we can be part of that should shine a light brighter than the sun in every dark place we might encounter in life. And encounter them we will! Each experience we have, good or bad, is an opportunity to bring the face of Jesus closer to all around us. Rejoicing always, no matter what, lightens our load and helps to close the gap between us and glory. So get out there and rejoice. It is what we are made to do.