Joy to the Whole World – December 21, 2003

Joy to the Whole World – December 21, 2003

Two thousand years ago, in a quiet stable in Bethlehem, the world changed. The Prince of Peace and Salvation was born. Angels sang hosannas to those who had ears to hear. A bright star in the heavens proclaimed His birth to those who had eyes to see. A newborn King would bring joy, not just to Mary and Joseph, but to people everywhere.

Now, all around the world, in every language and clime, we sing the songs of the season and celebrate His birth. The customs and traditions that evolved from that holy night are unique to each culture, but they share a universal theme. They tell of the birth of God’s own Son. They share in the joy and promise of the Savior of the world. For example, the exchange of gifts reminds us of the Father’s transcendent offering of His Son and Jesus’s gift of His perfect life. The lights and decorations are symbols of the spiritual light promised to all who come unto Him. The festive foods recall the sustaining power of the Bread of Life, “the living bread which came down from heaven.”¹

All of these make the season so wonderful, but perhaps the most meaningful celebrations of Christmas are the simple exchanges of the heart, in which we manifest the love of God one to another. Last year at this time, a small girl counted out the few dollars she received in birthday greetings from family and friends. She thought she might have enough to buy some candy, a toy, or a little outfit for a favorite doll. But then she heard about some needy children. They didn’t have a place of their own to sleep, food to eat, or toys to spare. Without prodding from her parents, she came up with an idea. She could use her birthday money to help those needy children. Filled with excitement, she walked up and down the aisles of the store. Hand in hand with her mother, she thought about what these people might like and made some careful choices. Not keeping any for herself, she spent all her money on them—so they could celebrate

Jesus’s birthday.

In the days that followed, the girl and her family thought of the Savior’s birth two millennia ago—of Mary and Joseph, alone and far from home, depending on the goodwill of others. In the hush of the holiday, they hearkened back to a scene in a stable when joy came to the world, the whole world: one heart, one shepherd boy, one Wise Man, one small girl at a time.

Program #3879

^{1. John 6:51.}