THE JOY THAT COMES FROM CHRISTMAS

A young run-away girl collapsed on the streets of a large city at the beginning of the Christmas season. She was rushed to a hospital, placed in intensive care, and finally made it to a room where she made slow progress in regaining her health.
One evening a group of carolers stopped by her room and sang the beautiful songs that describe the birth of Jesus. After they sang, a young lady approached her bed and asked if she knew the Baby that they had been singing about.
Quietly, barely above a whisper, she said, “I heard about Him when I went to Sunday school. But don’t remember too much about Him.”
The young lady reminded her of the story and the meaning of the birth of Jesus and the plan of salvation. When she heard the story, she accepted the Lord as her Savior.
Finally, it was time for her to leave and a nurse said, “Well, now that you’re better, it’s time for you to leave.”
Happily, she said, “Yes, but I’m not leaving alone. I’m taking Jesus with me. Do you know Jesus?”
“Oh, yes,” replied the nurse, in a grumpy voice.
“Well, then,” she asked, “why aren’t you filled with joy like I am? If you truly know Jesus, you’ll be happy all the time.”
David said, “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation!”
Prayer: Lord, sometimes we surrender our joy to the stress and strains of life. Come now and return the joy we once had when we accepted Christ as our Savior. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Scripture For Today: Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.