Sometimes we may think that the “Christmas Spirit” was invented by Charles Dickens, and that it is simply reinforced by commercial interests and Hallmark movies in modern times; but the Christmas Spirit exists even in the Bible, even before the actual birth of Christ a merry heart is praised in the book of Proverbs: The cheerful heart has a continual feast, ( Prov.15:15) and A cheerful heart is good medicine. (Prov.15:15)

A thirteenth century carol includes the line, “May joy come from God above to all those who Christmas love.” The connection of great joy with the birth of Jesus is irresistible at Christmas. The joy at Christmas mingles with the joy of a welcome new born baby and the knowledge that he fulfills prophecy and is sent from God. The joy is virtually mandated by the host of angels who sang to the shepherds.

One of the most common Christmas card greetings is the greeting referring to the joy experienced at Christmas, and the hope of extending it throughout the year. The author of the book of Hebrews laid out an unexpected path to receive that joy: Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2)The joy of Christ’s nativity was intended to reach across the centuries in festivals and celebrations, but also with encounters with angels themselves, whether we know it or not.

Christmas and Easter both draw us closer to our God, and the Scripture keeps alive the spirit of joy that accompanies both celebrations…Both center upon the life of Christ, Easter on his resurrection. Both fill out the year with acknowledgments of the bond created by Jesus’ arrival on earth,, his life, death and resurrection that has changed the hopes of believers to rejoice in the eternal life he both promised and displayed in his resurrection.

Tonight is New Year’s Eve, a celebration in itself. The year ahead will be graced with another Christmas and another Easter. Both will spread the joy that has kept these holidays alive for more than two thousand years. We may search everywhere for joy in 2026, but God has given us both His son, and His book to read and to find His joy. If we make any resolutions, daily reading His book might be a good place to start.

Happy New Year!

Love in Him,

Prue