Gifts. There will be so many.
Things we've wished for...things we expect to bring us joy.
But real joy is not a gift, it is a fruit. A result. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith..." (Galatians 5:22)
This joy doesn't get old, the joy doesn't fade away...in fact, this joy grows and multiplies, birthing into our life peace, patience, kindness..... (not like the newest trend or latest toy)
Don't be tricked into expecting joy from inside a giftwrapped box. You will be disappointed time and again.
Joy is a fruit of God's Holy Spirit, comes listed right after love...it is the love expressed to us by the gift, that is the joyful thing.
On the first Christmas, the greatest gift of all time was given. God Himself stepped into the flesh of a naked, helpless infant. God Himself stepped out of perfect glory into the setting of a smelly barn....and lost humanity.
Happy? Oh yes !! And so very blessed.
He has "redeemed us from the curse of the law..." (Galatians 3:13)
"He has visited and redeemed his people..."(Luke 1:68)
"He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness..."(Col. 1:13)
Hallelujah!
