Rejoice! Joy to the world, as the Christmas song says. If we only sing “Joy to the world” without singing what follows, we would be giving one of the worst invitations that we could give to someone. In life, there is always a reason that gives purpose to every action, feeling or thought, and in this song, “Joy to the world” is because the Lord has come.

Like when a big event happens in your life, like marriage, the birth of a child, the loss of a loved one, the purchase of your first house, etc., whether you wanted them to happen or not, these events mark unforgettable milestones in your existence. This is exactly what Jesus’ birth does. It marks a before and after in this world. Because the Lord came to the world, the world can rejoice.

In these times where the majority of us have suffered, in one way or another, during this pandemic, this invitation of “rejoice” sounds paradoxical, why should I rejoice? If I have lost a loved one; if I lost my job; if I’ve been sick and I don’t know how to pay my bills. Even when this invitation sounds absurd… rejoice! It is not because I’m telling you to do it; it is because this invitation appears in several parts of the Bible. Philippians 4 says “Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again, rejoice!”

It is not simply an action, it is not only a decision, it is an invitation that has purpose and this purpose is HIM. Because the Lord lives, we can rejoice.

And if we continue reading this chapter in Philippians, it says “The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God». As the chapter says, the Lord is near. And just as the Wise Men that were in the fields understood that they needed to follow the star to see the King that was born, using the best way they knew how to honor Him.

Rejoice, tell others to rejoice, I will rejoice for the Lord has come.