INCARNATION RADIO SERIES
CHRISTMAS JOY
by (D a . <£Loyd J. (btdeMan
W E CAN BE THANKFUL that we live in this 20th century sharing the many scientific discoveries in the rap idly expanding achievements of man. How blessed, however, to be able to base our faith in unchanging truth that, “God commendeth His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Christmas brings with it glory and blessing which reaches out to touch that which is heavenly and eternal. For many people, Christmas only means merriment and revelry. How many know the real blessedness of this season. It is not explained in mere human pleasure. God meant the world to be a joyful place. Because of sin and unbelief man has turned the glory of the Creator into sheer tragedy. Love divine came down when Christ was bom. The simplest things of life yield maximum pleasure. There is an old French proverb which says that the man who seeks pleasure will never find it. But the man who does his duty will always find pleasure hunting him down. What would have happened had not the glory of God’s love broken over the face of the earth at Christ mas? Every morning, Christmas dawned anew for the Apostle Paul. What a lovely word that God “commendeth” His love. Christ came to bear man’s Visiting the Bioia Campus recently were members et the North Redondo Chapel, Redende Beach, Calif. Pictured -below from left to right are Mr. John Isaac, director of Stewardship for Biota, Mr. Af Sanders, Biota «ice president of Public Relations, Or. Herbert H. Richardson, pastor of the church, Rov. Thomas Kerfoot, assistant pastor, and Dr. Richard Chase, Bioia Academic «ice president.
burden of sin, dying on the cross, to become our Redeemer. Joy pulsated as is illustrated by Luke 2:10 and Mat thew 2:10. It has been said that “the world has grown old with its burdens and care, but at Christmas the world is always young.” Our hearts leap in anticipation of these wonderful truths concerning our Lord’s birthday. Man’s poor substi tute for God’s joy is only happiness, always conditioned by outward cir cumstances, ready to fade into sor row with a change of weather or dis position. Joy, however, does not wait upon others, or even our fluctuating feelings. Without God’s sustaining power, we are quickly plunged into fear and despair. Christ’s joy comes from within while the world’s happi ness is from without. The joy of the Lord in the heart of a born-again be liever has deep and lasting roots. Hap piness is only on the surface. The Lord’s joy fills our hearts completely. There is no satisfaction in what the world has to offer. Lord Byron tasted deeply of what people call pleasure. He was a famous poet and writer, penning the words, “There is not a joy the world can give like that which it takes away.” The fatal flaw in seeking our own happiness is that we most always seek in order to possess. God’s joy can operate in our lives only when everyone and everything we cherish is considered as being held in trust for Him. We are stewards. Even if hap piness is shattered joy can rise from within. A king instructed his gardener to plant six trees placing statues be neath each. They were to represent prosperity, victory, strength, duty, beauty and joy. They were to repre sent the king’s reign carried on for the good of his people. On the comple-
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