Monday, Dec. 25, 2023 – Christmas! Today we celebrate and reflect on the birth of Jesus. All day, I’ve been singing, using my outside voice, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS! I’M SO GLAD IT’S CHRISTMAS. ALL THE TINSEL AND LIGHTS AND THE PRESENTS ARE NICE BUT THE REAL GIFT IS YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS—-JESUS, I LOVE YOU…

Ok, full disclosure: I don’t know all the words but the song keeps me grounded in what this holiday day, this holy day, is all about. It’s hard to celebrate much else in the Christian faith without celebrating the birth of Christ Jesus. We need more of him in this world!

It’s his day: He was born on purpose for Our Father’s good pleasure which was to save us from our sins. Heard a preacher say in a Christmas Eve church service that just like we like to celebrate our birthdays all month long, we should celebrate Christmas all month long, in fact, every day in the way we live. Praise God for his extravagant love for US, that he would give his only begotten son, Jesus, to save us.

That should bring us all Great Joy, especially in this Advent season. We believe this celebration is about Christ’s first coming and we anticipate Christ the King’s second coming.

At the beginning of the month, my brother, Rev. Reginald B. Johnson, sent me a daily devotional for this Advent season. What I didn’t realize at first, he wrote one of the devotionals and his focus was on joy. Look at God! Joy and Great Joy was Orlando Community News’ focus word for 2023 – at the beginning of the year.

So to close out the year, I am sharing Pastor Johnson’s devotional which appears in the 11th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church / Christian Education Department’s 2023 Advent Devotional: Hope, Peace, Joy, Love.

God’s Joy

A few years ago, social media highlighted images of Black joy that were always visible in our
community but not amplified. Scholars describe Black joy as an act of resistance or “an effective
tool that has allowed individuals and groups to shift the impact of negative narratives and events
in their favor” (Black Joy: Resistance, Resilience and Reclamation, 2021).

The birth of Jesus was an act of resistance because although prophets foretold his coming, the
circumstances surrounding his birth were meant to prevent his forthcoming, or advent.

Yet in the humblest of places and the threat of violence looming, joy filled the birthplace of Jesus.

What exactly is this joy? It is joy that comes from God (Nehemiah 8:10, John 15:11, Romans
15:13), despite our circumstances, whether it be health, success, good fortune, or the prospect of
possessing what one desires. God is the source and cause of our joy, a sustained gladness.

God’s joy is miraculous, memorable, and everlasting.

The angel, Gabriel, told Mary that she would carry and give birth to the world’s Savior. Fearfully, Mary willingly accepted her role in God’s divine plan. Mary, filled with awe and wonder, visited
her relative, Elizabeth. Their visit showed incredible joy, excitement, and confirmation of God’s
promise. Elizabeth told Mary, “As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby
in my womb leaped for joy.”

Mary’s visit to Elizabeth reminds us that God’s plans are purposeful and bring blessings beyond
our imagination. Mary’s faith and joy would prove to sustain her throughout the life of Jesus
where she would encounter uncertainty (Jesus lost in the temple), witness miracles (Jesus
changing water into wine), and sorrow (Jesus’ death).

As we prepare for the birth of Jesus this Advent season, let us reflect on the joy that comes from
believing in God’s promises.

Let us trust in God’s plans for our lives and take comfort in knowing that our joy in Christ is in living for Christ, a resistance to injustice and hardships.”

Prayer: O Lord our Lord, how excellent is thy Name in all the world! We thank you for the
incredible joy of believing in your promises. Just as Mary’s visit brought joy to Elizabeth, may
our faith in your plan for our lives bring joy and fulfillment. Please help us to trust in your
timing and to embrace the joy. We pray in the Name of the Savior who brings the world hope, peace, and eternal joy. Amen.”

Reverend Reginald Johnson
11th Episcopal District
Bible Discovery Hour Superintendent