Behold The King is Born

And as adults, things aren't that different.We trade our toys with different things.Perhaps it's the technology, a gadget, some clothes, a better car, a nicer house, but still it doesn't really fill.Superficial joy can never satisfy because it is always coming from the outside.What we're looking at is an inner joy.Even if circumstances change, the joy is still present.Even though what happens on the outside may be depressing, what is taking place on the inside has hope and security.And this is what we find in Luke chapter 1. [00:04:46] (47 seconds)  #JoyFromWithin

Mary's joy or actually Elizabeth's joy was rooted in something else.Now Mary turns to joy because she begins to sing about it here in just a moment there at the ending of the passage that we read.But it swelled up in Elizabeth first.Now I want you to take a specific note of verse 41.It says when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting the baby leaped in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. [00:09:55] (32 seconds)  #LeapOfJoy

Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit in this moment.Something took place here.Something took place that was of God in that moment.When these two pregnant cousins came into contact with each other.Her joy was real because it was spirit filled.Her joy was possible not because something was fabricated or produced.Not because she saw, oh Mary you're pregnant too.Look I'm pregnant, you're pregnant, we're pregnant together.No it wasn't situational.The Holy Spirit entered into Elizabeth in this moment. [00:10:58] (47 seconds)  #HolyEncounterJoy

This wasn't something that came upon her because of a happy feeling or because of good news.It was happening because the Holy Spirit entered into her in the moment that she came in the presence of Jesus.It was spirit filled, not self-fabricated.It wasn't purchased, it wasn't bought.It was given because the Holy Spirit was there.The Holy Spirit entered in because she came into contact with Jesus.She had joy. [00:11:48] (31 seconds)  #SpiritFilledJoy

This is the turning point in Scripture.Luke chapter 2 is the turning point in Scripture.Where everything leading up, everything that had been prophesied before, leading up to this moment, here is where B.C. turns to A.D.Here's the moment when the life that was now is the life that is and can have the Lord present.And what did the angels proclaim?You go back to verse 10.I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.That's what was proclaimed.It is a joy that erupts when you find yourself in the presence of Jesus. [00:15:25] (51 seconds)  #GoodNewsGreatJoy

Now, not everything after is easy.Not everything in this world will go easy.But there's something about knowing that Jesus is here.There's something in being in his presence.Mary's joy turned into the Magnificat, as her song has been called.And she says, My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.It's a joy that's rooted in God, not in any circumstance.He has been mindful of the humble state of his servant as she sings. [00:17:02] (43 seconds)  #JoyRootedInGod

Her joy isn't shallow.It's one that's anchored in knowing the presence of Christ.And there are many times in our life that we feel like that what we're experiencing and what we're going through has got to be the darkest of times.But his promise is, I'll never leave you nor forsake you.And there must be inner joy that comes from knowing that. [00:17:47] (27 seconds)  #AnchoredInChrist

In what, in whom are we trying to find our joy?If it's in anyone or anything else, it's only going to leave us empty-handed, tired, consumed.It must be in Jesus and the receiving of the Holy Spirit.In the joy of salvation, in the joy of forgiveness, in the joy of knowing that God is with you, which is what the name Emmanuel is all about.God is with us. [00:22:36] (30 seconds)  #JoyInEmmanuel