Introduction
Christmas is an occasion of consolation. Jesus was born into this world to bring life, hope, peace, and most of all, joy. It was an event that fulfilled the greatest need of humanity: to be comforted. Christmas drew the line between passing pleasure and eternal excitement. The discussion of happiness and joy is always relevant at Christmas time because Jesus inspired people to aim for superior and larger goals and to live joyously in an imperfect world.
My eyes have seen
Perhaps the most significant discovery of the joy that Jesus brought to the world is best showcased in the Book of Luke, Chapter 22, when Jesus, only eight days old, was presented at the temple for purification. The Bible tells us that Simeon was waiting for Israel’s consolation and was given a sign from God that he will not die until this happened (Luke 22:25). Israel was oppressed and harassed, but God promised deliverance for His people, and they waited patiently. When Simeon encountered baby Jesus, he saw his relief, “my eyes have seen your salvation” (Luke 22:30). What a sigh of satisfaction! Simeon took Christ in his arms, a loving embrace that reflects affection, joy, and admiration. Simeon saw the Lord’s Christ, and before him was salvation, hope, the fulfillment of the Great Promise, and of his faith.
Christ’s birth was foretold several hundred years before He arrived on earth. Many kings and prophets longed to see the Savior but didn’t. Simeon was overwhelmed with joy; he was favored to physically see the Savior, which was confirmed by the spiritual insight of the Holy Spirit.
When his eyes met the Messiah, Simeon received peace of mind, and now faced death comfortably, “now let thy servant depart” (Luke 2:29). He desired to be with his Lord; what unspeakable joy and contentment it is to leave life as he knew it: family, friends, career, belongings, to be with His Maker. This communicates Simeon’s keen expectation of the other side of death. Death was not terrifying but it was anticipated, a confirmation of the Apostle Paul’s analogous idea of death, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21).
Simeon was given a reason to rejoice: this child changed the world’s history; he was not just a personal but universal blessing. The Son of God conveys that joy is not physical, but spiritual, not momentary, but eternal. Joy surpasses happiness because it finds comfort not just in the seen but in the unseen. Happiness is found in the items of this life, but joy is found in the promise that endures beyond this life.
Joy
One of the most popular Christmas carols we hear around this time is “Joy to the world,” which conveys the heart of Christmas. The condition of this joy can be found in the very next portion of that sentence, “the Lord is come.” Christmas was a time when God came to earth to identify with His people, to live among them, to teach, heal, guide, and to die for humanity. The great writer of this hymn, Issac Watts, draws its inspiration from Psalm 98, which focuses on being joyful because the Lord has given the world salvation. While joy is free, it’s conditional. Watts wrote, “Let earth receive her King,” which qualifies the impression that joy is only available to those who accept it, who admit Christ, who welcomes His salvation and righteousness.
The Bible tells us that joy is found in belief and hope (Romans 15:33), and we can receive it by asking the Father, “Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full” (John 16:24). Surrounded by God, we are undoubtedly joyful, “in your presence there is fullness of joy” (Psalm 16:11). This joy is something to have exclusively because God’s unending promise, “no one will take your joy from you” (John 16:22). The canons of Christ give us joy, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11).
Christmas makes the world happy and joyful. We enjoy exciting things like family, food, presents, and fellowship. However, the Bible tells us Christians are exceptionally exuberant at Christmas because they believe in the Messiah, “Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory” (1 Peter 1:8).
Simeon saw the Lord, but what is more astonishing is that the Spirit of God led him to the temple on that day. It is on this Spirit that his hope rested; this Spirit carried his joy. Only those who receive the Gospel are truly satisfied with sight. The Bible tells us that all things are monotonous; the eye is not happy with seeing, nor the ear of hearing. If you’re waiting for change, look beyond this existence because there’s nothing new here; what you think is brand new has already been done years before your time, only forgotten (Ecclesiastes 1:8-10).
This makes the conversation on joy even more relevant. King Solomon tells us that the stuff of happiness is meaningless, a chasing after the wind (Ecclesiastes 1:14). However, the person that believes in God’s words will never be disenchanted (1 Kings 8:56).
Seeing is not believing
Many people saw Jesus while he was on earth but rejected Him, which insists that sight alone is insufficient. The joy of seeing hinges on faith. For the shallow, seeing is believing, but the enlightened mind believes to see. Looking on with pious eyes, Simeon was able to behold the face of His Savior and Redeemer. Without the Spirit, the peace, joy, and tranquillity he embraced would have been impractical. Many people know of Jesus, have heard about Him, but have not witnessed His glory as the Son of God, the embodiment of grace, the model of righteousness, and the Perfect Sacrifice.
Jesus was not just another good man; He is the only Savior of the world capable of giving mankind ineffable joy. This joy transforms man and fills his soul with supreme satisfaction to the point where he can say like the Apostle Paul, “I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far…” (Philippians 1:23).
Simeon was among the enthusiasts who believed in the Messiah and looked for Him daily. Simeon means “God hears,” which gives the sense that he saw what he believed and what he prayed for. When we fail to speak with God or listen to Him, we miss out on His blessings. The Bible says Simeon was righteous and devout (Luke 2:25). These two words are characteristics that must be cultivated. Righteous in the eyes of men and devout in the eyes of God, Simeon’s spirituality was his priority.
Amid a godless society, God has placed His body of believers. The period of Christ’s birth was one of the darkest in the history of Israel. Yet, there were people like Simeon, upon whom the Holy Spirit rested (Luke 2:26). What a positive thought that God always has witnesses who believe even on the gloomiest of days.
Simeon’s attitude of patience, persistence, and expectation informed his actions and life choices. Led by the Spirit, taught by the Word, and obedient to the Will, Simeon saw God’s salvation, and how important this was for him! God desires that all people see Christ before they see death.
When the day is passed, it is gone forever; weeks, months, and years come and go in the same way. Our conduct is recorded in eternity and affects our destiny. We cannot undo mistakes, but we control our future. The time has come when we need to make our days count!
John writes, “But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). Believers will see Him forever, but unbelievers will only see the Son of God briefly, “Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all peoples on earth will mourn because of him (Revelation 1:7).
Conclusion
This season, many will wish each other “Merry Christmas,” which begins with “Christ.” The shattering irony is that they have no notion of Who He is and the consolation He offers to this world just because He came. His mission was joy. Oh, how merry we would indeed be if we receive His gift of salvation and eternal life through faith! This Christmas, find meaning for your life, look beyond happiness, and pursue Christ’s joy.
