The Best Recipe for J.O.Y. (to the World)
Christmas joy
Today is Christmas 2023. Another day, another year is almost behind us. Another year will soon come to us.
I remember the reason for Christmas is because Jesus came. He came to bring Joy. The Angel announced His birth with these words: “Fear not . . . I bring you good tidings of great JOY, which shall be to all people.”
The song Joy to the World can be sung in any season, any day of the year – because Jesus came. This season reminds me that life is not about me and my world. True life happens because Jesus came.
My World – and Joy
Today, I remember the song we sang as children. J-O-Y. It’s an acronym. When I feel “joy” seeping out of my world, I remember this song.
- Jesus first
- Yourself last
- Others in between
When I put Jesus first, He is in the very beginning of my day and my focus. When I put myself last, I nix the selfishness that comes from my sin nature. When I put others between Jesus and myself, I am serving others before I serve myself. J-esus. O-thers. Y-ourself.
It keeps growing and going
This Jesus first-Yourself-last-Others-in-between is something we can’t grow on our own, but it can grow inside us when we live it out. When we cultivate this fruit of the Spirit, it will affect others. When it is cultivated, we can pass it on. Pass on your Joy and your faith in the way you live!
If you’re a believer, share the JOY intended for the entire world with your world. Share it with your corner of the planet and watch it grow and glow. Let the JOY inside you affect your life and your world. Especially today – and especially every day of the year.
