Luke 1:46-55
And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.”
INSIGHT
-The word rejoice can be split into two parts to clearly explain its meaning: – Re – meaning “do again” and Joice – meaning to bring about joy. Rejoice therefore means to keep joyful or to always be joyful. The word rejoice in Hebrew is written as gil while in Greek it is written as Chairo which means to be glad, jubilation, merrymaking, pleasure and delight. Several scriptures have elaborated this word including : – Jethro rejoiced for all the good which the Lord had done for Israel (Exo 18:9-11), You shall eat before the Lord your God and you shall rejoice in His blessings (Deu 12:7), Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the Lord (1 Sam 2:1), the angel said to Zacharia that he would have a son and many will rejoice at his birth (Lk 1:13-14), let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice (1 Chro 16:10-11, Ps 5:11, 40:16, 70:4), the trees of the woods shall rejoice before the Lord (1 Chr 16:33-34), rejoice over enemies (2 Chro 20:27), do not rejoice when your enemy falls (Pro 24:17), some people rejoice in doing evil (Prov 2:14), rejoice to the sound of the flute (Job 21:12), rejoice in ones own works (Ecc 3:22), the poor among men shall rejoice in the Lord (Isa 29:19), as a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you (Isa 62:5-6), the people rejoiced and praised God with a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen (Lk 19:37), rejoice in God’s salvation (Ps 9:14, 13:5-6, 20:5), rejoice in God’s mercy (Ps 31:7), rejoice for the Lord has redeemed our souls (Ps 71:23), rejoice in a new day (Ps 118:24-25), rejoice in God’s word (Ps 119:162), rejoice in God’s wisdom (Pro 31:25), rejoice in persecution for great is your reward in heaven (Mat 5:12, Lk 6:23), rejoice because your names are written in heaven (Lk 10:18-20), rejoice over one lost but found sheep (Lk 15:6), rejoice over one lost but found coin (Lk 15:9), rejoice in His light (John 5:35), rejoice in hope of the glory of God (Rom 5:2), rejoice with those who rejoice (Rom 12:15-16), be glad, rejoice and give God glory (Rev 19:7-8), rejoice always (1 Thes 5:16-18) etc.
-Mary trusted in the Lord and rejoiced even before she bore Jesus. This was after the news from the angel that Jesus would deliver all mankind from their sins. Like Mary, Hannah also rejoiced in the Lord and prayed in a similar fashion after she gave birth to a son, Samuel (1 Sam 2:1-10). Jesus birth is the reason for this season and those who put their trust in the Lord are called to rejoice (Ps 5:11). To rejoice in all life situations knowing that Jesus came to save us and through His we are more than conquerors. By rejoicing, we please God through faith that whatever we are trusting Him for, He has already done it through Christ. Jesus came into the world to fulfill the promise of a Messiah who would save the world from all sin. Since Jesus died and resurrected, we have been saved from all our frustrations, sicknesses, weaknesses, poverty, slavery, sorrows, difficulties and all burdens, and bore them on the cross so that we may be free in Him. When we have faith in God then, we partake of His victory knowing that we will be raised with Him and we will live forever with Him, for He has bestowed unto us the gift of salvation.
PRAYER
Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You Jesus. Let all those who love Your salvation Lord say continually, Jesus be magnified. Thank You Jesus for this new day that You have given us, we rejoice and are glad in You. Thank You for this far that You have brought us, Jesus be magnified. Thank You for the gift of life, health and wellness, Jesus be magnified. Have mercy on all those who are sick and suffering among us, we ask that You heal them and deliver them from all their troubles for by Your stripes we were healed. Increase our faith in You Jesus we humbly beseech You for Your mercy extends to those who fear You, from generation to generation. Many are our prayers and hearts desires dear Jesus, may You hear us and answer us from generation to generation, for we are more than conquerors in You. We praise and magnify You Jesus, now and forever. Amen
Psalm 118:24-25
This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. Save now, I pray, O Lord; O Lord, I pray, send now prosperity.
INSIGHT
-God is the Lord of all, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. All the earth rejoice in His marvelous works and the heavens praise Him. Let us rejoice for this beautiful day that the Lord has made and be glad in it. Let us glorify the Lord for the gift of life, for the dead know nothing; they have no further reward and even their name is forgotten (Ecc 9:5). God is the Lord of all, both the old and the young, the rich and the poor, the orphans and widows, and the Lord is the Maker of us all (Prov 22:2). The sun rises to both the rich and the poor, and the moon is visible to both the righteous and the wicked. We are all equal in the eyes of the Lord. The Lord sends prosperity as He wills and we are called to rejoice in Him. As Jesus sacrificed His own life for our own sake, He became poor so that we may become rich. We are reminded during this season of Christmas to sacrifice something for the less fortunate. To make a kingdom investment and reach out to the poor, needy, homeless, hopeless, widows, orphans, prisoners, sick and suffering for the glory of the Lord. For whatever we do to the least of God’s brethren, we do it unto Him and He will richly bless us according to the riches of His glory.
PRAYER
Oh sing to the Lord a new song. Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless His name. Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. This is the day that You have made dear Father, we rejoice and are glad in it. Thank You Holy Spirit for this far that You have brought us, Your mercies are new each morning. We praise You and magnify Your holy name. Lord You are compassionate and full of love, have mercy on us and on the whole world. Be with all those are sick, suffering, orphans, widows, fatherless, homeless and needy, and stretch Your hand of grace upon them. Bestow unto us the gift of compassion that we may reach those who need us most for the glory of Your name and prosper us in all things. May our faith in You Lord; resurrect new hope in our day to day lives, to inculcate fresh graces in our journey of salvation. We are Your children Father, lead us to always share in Your love, wisdom and compassion just as it is in heavenly places for the glory of Your name. All glory and praise belongs to You Lord, now and forever. Amen
Ecclesiastes 5:18-20
“This is what I have observed to be good: that it is appropriate for a person to eat, to drink and to find satisfaction in their toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given them—for this is their lot. Moreover, when God gives someone wealth and possessions, and the ability to enjoy them, to accept their lot and be happy in their toil—this is a gift of God. They seldom reflect on the days of their life, because God keeps them occupied with gladness of heart.”
INSIGHT
-Despite one’s busy schedules, king Solomon writes that it is good and appropriate to eat, drink and find satisfaction in our labor. If then God blesses one with riches and wealth, and additionally gives him/her the ability to enjoy it, this is pleasurable and a gift from the Almighty. Moreover, if God enriches one’s heart with gladness, this is a reason to rejoice in the Him for His goodness and mercy. In the story of the rich young ruler who presumably lived this kind of life, Jesus examined his conduct with reference to the law of love. Since he kept the law, Jesus told him that if he wanted to be perfect and inherit His kingdom, he would have to sell his possessions and give it to the poor. Through this story, Jesus disclosed that it is more important to store up ones treasures in heaven and the man was sorrowful for he had great possessions (Mat 19:16-22). The story of Lazarus and the rich man also reveals these truths (Luke 16:19-31). To partake in the kingdom of God, it is therefore necessary to do good to others and be mindful of the needy in our society for this opens the door to eternal life.
PRAYER
Lord You make known to us the path of life. You fill our hearts with joy in Your presence. With eternal pleasures from Your right hand You clothe us with gladness. Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, Hosanna in the highest. You have given us the ability and strength to eat and drink; Hosanna in the highest. You have clothed us with the riches of Your glory; Hosanna in the highest. You have blessed the work of our hands and broaden our paths; Hosanna in the highest. Jesus take preeminence in our lives and help us to store our treasure in heaven where there is no moth, rust or thieves; Hosanna in the highest. Father thank You for the gift of Your Son Jesus Christ who came to redeem the world; Hosanna in the highest. Our Father who at in heaven; hallowed be Your name; Your Kingdom come; Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread & forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptations but deliver us from evil; for thine is the Kingdom the power & the glory; forever & ever. Amen
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
INSIGHT
-Apostle Paul writes his final exhortations to the Thessalonians and Philippians alike; indicating the importance of rejoicing in the Lord always (Phil 4:4-7). In Habakkuk 3:17-18 we see that; “though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior”. As Christians we are also called to rejoice in the Lord in good times and in adverse situations, as we rely on His everlasting mercy, love, grace, protection, healing, providence, sustenance, goodness, salvation, righteousness and His faithfulness. To give thanks in all situations, trusting in to God’s promises and holding fast faith. To pray always knowing that God is Spirit and we communicate with Him through prayer, and when we do not know how to pray the Holy Spirit intercedes for us with groanings that cannot be uttered.
PRAYER
We thank You Lord for You are good and Your mercies endures forever. Thank You for Your love and mercy upon our lives, we will forever rejoice in You. Thank You for this far that You have brought us and for the peace that we continue to enjoy in our nation. Thank You for loving us with an everlasting kind of love and for Your gift of salvation that You given us and our families. Remember all those who do not know You that You may touch their hearts and save their souls. Shepherd us Lord in all things and when we do not know how to pray, intercede for us Holy Spirit. We trust in You Lord always for You are our only Hope and Deliverer. We rely on You Father for without You we can do nothing. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us now and forevermore. Amen
Luke 15:7
“I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
INSIGHT
-As we prepare our hearts to receive the Messiah, let us remember to repent our sins and believe in the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Jesus Christ, who came to take away the sins of the world. Jesus spoke in various parables outlining the need for repentance including; the parable of the lost coin, parable of the lost sheep and that of the prodigal son. These parables remind us that we need to be reconciled to the Father through faith in Christ. Further, that we should forgive those who offend us as the heavenly Father forgives our trespasses too. It is also evident that the heavenly hosts rejoice with shouts of praise over one sinner who repents than ninety nine who need no repentance. Jesus also indicated that, it is more important to rejoice that our names are written in heaven than when spirits submit to us (Lk 10:20).
SUMMARY
Christmas is a time for jubilation and celebration. It is a season when families and friends gather to rejoice in what God has done unto us; the entire year. The Lord has blessed us and given us the ability to eat and drink, which is gift from Him. Christmas is not only a time of rejoicing but a season of giving. Giving to the less fortunate and vulnerable in our society. Through giving to the poor, we lend to God (Pro 19:17) and we store up our treasures in heaven where there are no thieves, no moth nor rust (Mat 6:20). We also appreciate the need to rejoice in a new day that the Lord has given us and to give thanks for the gift of life knowing very well that many never made it today. To rejoice in the gift of salvation that the Father has given unto us. To rejoice with the heavenly hosts when one sinner is reconciled with the Father through salvation. To rejoice that our names are written in the book of life and that we will dwell with God forever. To rejoice in the hope of the glory of God through Whom also we have access by faith into grace in which we stand (Rom 5:2).
PRAYER
We appreciate You Lord and bless Your holy name for You have been faithful to us even when we became faithless. You have journeyed with us throughout the year through thick and thin. You have never left us nor forsaken us, we bless your holy name. Thank You for the gift of salvation and for the love that You have given us. We repent our sins, sins of our families, our leaders, our nation and those of the whole world. May You bring many in our families, social circles, nation and all over the world to repentance and grant them the gift of salvation for Your love for us is everlasting. Cover us Jesus by Your precious blood and protect us by Your hedge of fire. No weapon fashioned against us shall prosper in Your mighty name Jesus. All our plans shall succeed Father because You are our Shepherd and Shield. All glory, honor, power and praise belongs to You now and forever. Amen