I have noticed as I have been out and about the last couple of weeks that there doesn’t seem to be much Christmas joy. People shopping look tired and drained of expression. I have seen very few smiles or expressions of joy the past few days. This makes me wonder if I have been giving any smiles to those that I pass.

Isaac Watts wrote the Christmas carol "Joy to the World" as his interpretation of Psalms 98. There are some question amount scholars as to whether Watts was referring to the birth of Jesus or the second coming when he wrote, “Joy to the world, the Lord has come.” Either way should bring us joy. We can rejoice at the birth of Jesus, who came as a baby to be our Savior so that we will have reason to rejoice when he comes again.

When I see more worry on faces than smiles, I know that people have either forgotten the real meaning of Christmas or don’t know that the Lord has come for them. I pray that as we have just a few more days of this season left that we pause to prepare him room in our hearts. As we find our Christmas joy, I hope we let it radiate to others through our expression, actions, and words.

As another secular Christmas song says, “It is the most wonderful time of the year,” when we can remember that our Savior was born to give us joy. Let’s share the wonders of his love during the holiday season and all throughout the coming year.

“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11) (KJV)