Where does this joy come from? We first see it when Mary goes to visit her cousin Elizabeth. John leaps for Joy in Elizabeth's womb when Mary arrives, and he recognizes that Christ is present. This joy flows out of Elizabeth, and radiates to Mary, who proclaims in Joy the beautiful Canticle known as the Magnificat.
Later, when John is born, there is once again joy- this time from Zachariah, who upon having his speech restored after seeing all that Gabriel had prophesied fulfilled, and confirming that his son should be called John, speaks wonderful words of praise and Joy towards God, and confirms that his son will be called "Prophet of the Most High" who will go before the Lord to prepare his way.
When Jesus is born, it is the Angels that announce the "Good news of great joy" that this day is born a Savior who is Christ and Lord. And after that, they break out into song, singing "Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth, Peace to people of Good Will!" The Shepherds, and even the wise men come rejoicing that they have found this newborn King of all the Earth.
And Last, but certainly not least, when Jesus is presented in the Temple, the old man Simeon too sings his song of Joy and Praise, when he declares "Now Lord you may let your servant die in peace, for with my own eyes I have seen the Salvation which you promised to your people."
Again, what is the source of all this Joy? Every single person in the Infancy Narrative who experiences this Joy does so when they encounter the Christ Child- the Incarnate Word of God. Their hearts are open to receive Him, and so when they receive his blessings (or realize that his blessings are coming in the case of Zachariah,) they cannot help but be infused with the Joy that comes from meeting Christ.
2000 years later, the same is true for us. We have been given a huge gift- the ability to continue to know Christ in the flesh through the Sacraments of the Church. We too, are given the chance to allow Christ to be "born" into our Hearts, not only at Christmas, but every time we go to Mass and participate in the Eucharistic Sacrifice. This is where the true Joy of Christmas comes from- from a radical encounter with the person of Jesus Christ, who desires nothing more than to enter into our lives, and lead us to the Father. This is what Christmas is all about.
Unfortunately, we often get so caught up in the commercial aspect of Christmas, that we fail to make room for Christ in our hearts. Then, when the real celebration of Christmas begins on December 25th (continuing until the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord on January 12th) we are so done with the season, that we end our Christmas celebrations on Christmas day, and go back to living our ordinary lives, when in all reality the celebration of Christmas is just beginning!!!!
But all is not lost- perhaps you have been caught up in the commercial aspect of Christmas, and haven't had time to prepare for Christ's coming into your life. You still can. Try to set aside some quiet time today and tomorrow to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, and ask Christ to enter into your life once again, so that He may lead you to the Father.
Merry Christmas, and may God Bless!!
