Christmas Joy!

"Now all praise to God for His wonderful kindness to us and His favor that he has poured out upon us, because we belong to His dearly loved Son.  So overflowing is His kindness towards us that He took away all our sins through the blood of His Son, by whom we are saved; and He has showered down upon us the richness of His grace for how well He understands us and knows what is best for us at all times.

God has told us His secret reason for sending Christ, a plan He decided on in mercy long ago; and this was His purpose: that when the time is ripe He will gather us all together from wherever we are - in heaven or on earth - to be with Him in Christ forever."  Ephesians 1:6-10 (Living Bible)

This morning I read this scripture in my Bible.  What joy!  With all that is going on in the world, the gloom of it all, still that little baby in a manger is the one who conquers all.  The greatest gift ever!  Real Christmas joy begins in Christ Jesus and the gracious kindness of our Father who knows what is best for us at all times.  Rejoice!