Comfort and Joy

The Christmas season is filled with joyful songs both secular and religious. The tradition of filling the air with songs of comfort and joy started with the angels singing to the shepherds. The angels passed along words of comfort, calming the shepherds' fear at their sudden appearance, and joy, proclaiming the news of Christ's birth. One Christmas carol contains the line "to save our souls from Satan's power." Thinking about our sinful nature and need for salvation while celebrating the birth of a baby seems a little depressing. But the fact remains, every one of us is in need of salvation. God's grace provides our salvation — a gift from our loving Father. Instead of being depressed over our need for protection from Satan's power, we receive comfort, knowing that our God overcomes all of our painful circumstances, and joy, knowing Jesus saved us.