When man fell to sin, he came to know sadness – the sadness of being separated from God. His life became gloomy. But God did not abandon him completely; He gave him a promise – He will send a Savior, a Messiah Who will bring him back to God. Man waited for the arrival of the Messiah, the messenger of joy, and the birth of Christ was the fulfillment of that promise.

But even before He was born, our Lord already brought joy to the people joy to the people who were chosen by His Father to take part in His life. Mary rejoiced for being chosen by God to be the mother of Christ, Elizabeth was filled with joy when visited by Mary Jesus (in Mary’s womb), John leap for joy when he felt His physical proximity. And when He was born the angels told this great news of joy to the shepherds. Few hours from now the Christian world will celebrate with joy the birthday of our Lord. Christmas is a celebration of life and of joy. Sadness should have no place in our hearts. Christ, the great source of our joy, is born in our world and will lead us back to the Father. Christ wants to bring His joy to the whole world, to those gloomy hearts who haven’t yet felt His loving presence in the world. Just like Mary after she conceived Christ in her womb, we too are commissioned to take Him every corner of the world. Let us spread the joy of Christmas to others!

May Mary, the cause of our joy, teach us how to share Christ’s joy to others. Have a joyful Christmas!

-- candle light