A man about whom Jesus spoke very highly, John the Baptist, sometimes gets overshadowed in the grand view of Christmas. He was the first to celebrate Christmas, he was the first to leap for Joy at the coming of Messiah.
43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” Luke 1:43-45
Scripture tells us that John came as a Witness to the Light, he started early! How about you? How is your witness to the Joy of Christmas? John did not wait until the Big Day – His celebration began early, he found joy in the middle of Advent! Even the sound of Mary’s greeting was enough to set him off. How about all the great Carols of Christmas that celebrate Jesus Birth – do you show JOY when you sing? How about all the prophets who shouted for joy the news that Messiah was coming, do their words make us break into Song with a leap of Joy?
OK I’m not a leaper, but I am a Joyful Person, I do find myself singing and humming, and whistling more these days. I enjoy Advent and today I’m off for a family Celebration of Christmas. Let the Joy Continue!