"I Know Him!"
THE SETUP
"Santa’s Coming! I know him! I know him!" – Buddy the Elf in Elf
There have been very few times in my life where I have seen anyone get as excited for anything as Buddy does in the movie Elf when he finds out that Santa is coming to Gimbel’s department store. The cheering of the kids in the store is drowned out by Buddy’s enthusiasm for Santa. Why is Buddy so much more excited about Santa than everyone else? Because he knew him. The kids were excited about the possibility of Santa, Buddy was excited about seeing someone he knew.
As we celebrate Advent, the anticipation of Jesus’ birth, we have the benefit of experience, much like Buddy. The shepherds, wise men, and even Jesus’ own parents were aware of the promise of the Messiah. Two thousand years later, we know Him. Our joy at Christmas isn’t the joy of anticipation. It is the joy of experience. It’s the joy that comes from what Jesus has done in our lives, from the gift of salvation to the ongoing work of transformation he brings to us. We know Him.
This Advent season, may you be filled with joy as you reflect on and celebrate the birth of Jesus. And if you want to shout about it, go ahead, you know Him.
PASSAGE TO READ
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
How do you define joy? What has been the most joyful moment of your life?
How, in your opinion, is the joy of experience different than the joy of anticipation?
What has Jesus done in your life that you can rejoice about this Christmas?
PRAYER IDEA:
“Jesus – thank you for coming into this world so we can know you. You became flesh and lived in our world, sharing our experience so we could experience you. This Christmas help me to share your joy with the people around me. Not the joy of the holidays or the emotions of the season, but the joy of knowing you. In your name, amen.”