2024 Advent Devotion: Day 23

Monday, December 23

Psalm 113; Genesis 25:19-28; Colossians 1:15-20

“Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King!”

Three Dog Night sang a similar song: “Joy to the world, All the boys and girls, Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea, Joy to you and me.” While this song is not likely to be found in your church hymnal, these lyrics do embody the words from the passages for today’s devotional.

The psalmist tells us to praise the Lord. We should all be joyful during this season knowing that the Lord our God will raise the poor from the dust. Joy to the needy because He will lift them from the ash heap. Joy to the childless woman when He makes her a happy mother of children. Joy to the world!

The passage from Genesis reminds us of one of God’s great miracles. Isaac’s barren wife, Rebekah, became pregnant with twins. Before her twins were born, God informed Rebekah, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.” Esau is the first child to be born and becomes his father’s favorite child. Jacob is born grasping Esau’s heel. He becomes Rebekah’s favorite child. Esau and Jacob have a difficult relationship over many years but do finally reconcile their relationship with each other. Joy to the world!

Paul informs the Colossians that Jesus is the image of the invisible God. What a great joy it is for all of us that Jesus came to save us from our sins. In him, all things were created. Things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible. All things have been created through Jesus. Joy to the world!

During this Advent season, spend time basking in the joy that God has chosen to bless you with. You are given this blessing not because you are a perfect follower of His word; none of us are. You are given this blessing because God loves you. God made you perfect and he sacrificed his son, Jesus, so that all our sins would be forgiven, and we will all dwell in the house of the Lord forever. Joy to world, All the boys and girls, Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea, Joy to you and me!

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for all the wonderful blessings that you have chosen to bestow upon us. Thank you for a strong faith that makes us faithful to you and to believe that Jesus Christ is our personal savior. Thank you for this Advent season and the anticipation that Jesus is coming soon. We love you Lord. Amen.

Gary Smith
Chair, Board of Trustees