The Defiant Nevertheless

The residents of Whoville woke Christmas morning to find that their town had been ransacked the night before. The scheming Grinch was bent on robbing them of their joy of Christmas, and he attempted to do so by stealing all of the Christmas decorations and gifts from the entire town. But as dawn broke over Whoville the Grinch was shocked to hear the residents in the town below still singing joyfully. Welcome Christmas. Christmas Day…Welcome Christmas Bring your cheer!

What is the foundation of your joy? Does it stand the test of time or does it change with what is in fashion? Has it revolutionized your heart as much as it has revolutionized history? Or does it fail to inspire? Can it burn all the more brightly even in the face of incomparable pain and heartache? Or does it diminish in the darkest hours?

Rejoice in the Lord at all times! Once more I say it: rejoice! – Philippians 4:4.

As the Theologian, Karl Barth, writes, this is a radical joy that is powerful even in the face of great trials and challenges: “Joy in Philippians is a defiant “Nevertheless!” that Paul sets like a full stop against the Philippians’ anxiety…”

That defiant joy is what is celebrated at Christmas.

“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11)

This type of joy does not turn a blind eye to the perils of our time. It does not shy away from acknowledging the pain and troubles one experiences. When your joy is rooted in the Lord and all He has done and all He is capable of doing it stands as a defiant rebuttal against the troubles of this world.

What a gift it is when we place our joy in such a power that it allows us to shout out in the face of worry and pain, ‘Nevertheless! I will remain joyful.’

May you have a defiantly joyful Christmas and an adventurous New Year.