Light of the World - Advent DevotionalSample

Joy 

Our Permanent Joy

by Pastor Sylvanus Elorm, Regional Director of West Africa

“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.’” — Luke 2:10

Joy to the world, the Lord is come!

The coming of our Lord Jesus brought joy unspeakable to the inhabitants of earth — a joy which continues to be felt and seen everywhere at Christmas. It’s in the ...

· Songs filling the air of every home and shop.

· Beautiful decorations of homes.

· Heartwarming exchanges of pleasantries and kindness.

· Children filling the streets with shouts of delight and ecstasy.

Joy is why so many have magical, wonderous memories of Christmas — and so eagerly wait for it every year. 

But what is joy? Various dictionaries define it as great happiness — but our hearts know that it’s far more than simply being glad that things are going well with us, receiving all the toys we ever wanted, or eating wonderful food with those we love.

Happiness could be experienced temporarily. It’s short lived. But joy is a permanent condition — a state of rejoicing against all odds. And real joy has a lot to do with Jesus coming to earth, because His advent brought us all ...

· Deliverance

· Atonement

· Comfort

· Peace

· Strength

· Freedom

· Salvation

· And more!

This joy — eternal joy — is meant to be shared with everyone — especially at Christmastime! 

This Christmas, let us boldly and joyfully proclaim the Good News so that many more will also experience the freedom and joy we have in Jesus Christ and fill heaven with even more rejoicing!

Reflection Point

Joy became ours because God entered the world. How will you celebrate joyfully this Christmas season? How could you share this joy with those around you?

Prayer Requests

Pray for Pastor Elorm and other OneHope partners — that God would continue to bless their ministry as they share His lasting joy with children and youth around the world. 

Pray for the young people of Sierra Leone and West Africa — that the joy of the Lord would be contagious in their hearts this Christmas as they celebrate Christ’s birth with friends and family.

Pray for those in your own life who do not yet know the true joy of Christmas. Ask God to help you be courageous in sharing the Good News with them. 

Celebrating Christmas in Sierra Leone  

Christmas is the single biggest celebration! Plenty of people gather for parties and feasts, with lots of dancing and excitement. Soccer — the most popular sport — is also in season.

Rice — the most consumed food in Sierra Leone — is harvested during the Christmas season, making it possible for even the poorest families to afford a special meal. Stew with chicken and other meats is the most common dish.

Families often travel to their hometowns and villages for reunions and parties with loved ones. Children and teens typically receive new clothes and other gifts from parents and other relatives.

Most Christians will attend a brief church service on Christmas Day. Typically, the message focuses on the humble birth of Christ.