Victor Hugo once wrote that, “The supreme happiness in life is the conviction that we are loved, loved for ourselves, or more to the point, loved in spite of ourselves.” If that is true then Christmas is our reminder that unending happiness is available to us all. This joy comes from knowing that we haven’t been left alone in our brokenness. In spite of our failings, in spite of our hurtful words, in spite of our greed, and in spite of our selfish actions, Jesus came to earth to be with us and to invite us to live forever with Him.

Humanity hungers for joy, and we waste away without it. We were created by God to crave joy in much the same way that we crave water to drink and air to breath. The greatest joy and satisfaction available to mankind comes through a relationship with God. While we may find happiness in our purchases, promotions, and possessions, those joys eventually fade. God alone is our source of unending joy.

This Christmas we also remember that sometimes the greatest joys of life emerge from our darkest moments.  Some of us find ourselves this season in a difficult financial place. Others of us are ill and battling disease. Still others of us are grieving the loss of close family or friends. While there will be losses in life that take our breath away and mountains that seem too steep to climb. God will never leave our side. As we eagerly await the day when Jesus returns and establishes complete and unending joy, God’s words echoed through the psalmist give us strength, “Sorrow may last for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5).