He Makes Me Merry

The following scriptures from the Holy Bible are referenced either directly or in idea in "He Makes Me Merry." I hope you'll read and consider each of them: Proverbs 15:13, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 3:16, Matthew 1:23, Hebrews 13:5, Luke 1:37, Matthew 19:26, James 1:17, John 1:12-23, Psalm 68:19, and Luke 2:1-14. Quoted scriptures are from the KJV.

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He Makes Me Merry

Christmastime! It’s the season folks often wish their fellow man merriment, calling out, “Merry Christmas!” Merriness is such a place of inner delight, a lifted heart. We feel joy when we’re merry. Troubles seem to disappear from our awareness. This merry feeling, this state of heart, seems often sourced outside of us, found in the festivities of a celebration, in shared laughter, in happy surprises, in met needs and desires, or other glad occasions. When these occasions and these moments are past, however, what then is our source of joy?

Proverbs 15:13 says, “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” We need lasting joy. Although I enjoy many outside sources of merriness, my root reason for a merry heart is internal. The reason that brings me joy and peace on the darkest of days is living in the mercies of God and knowing I am His. He forgave me for my sins. In exchange for my repentance and trust in Jesus Christ, God made me His child and gave me the gift of eternal life. He’s with me (Emmanuel! God with us!) through the highs, mids, and lows of life, and I don’t sorrow or joy alone. He has never left me and never will. He makes a way for me through impossible situations. In Him is no variableness and not even a shadow of turning. I am reconciled to God—made right with Him—through His Son Jesus Christ, the very man whose birth we celebrate at Christmastime. My life is full of the riches that come from belonging to God. He makes me merry.

If you are yet to be reconciled to God through trusting Jesus, know that Jesus came to be your Savior, too! The night Jesus was born on the earth (see Luke chapter 2), an angel announced His arrival to some on-duty shepherds, saying, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” A heavenly host joins the angel, and they say, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” God made clear from Jesus’ arrival that His son came to be the Savior for all of humanity. His goodwill and peace are for you.

Let me close with the lyrics to a song I wrote a few years ago:

All you need this Christmas

is Jesus in your heart,

to come and finally meet Him.

He knows who you are.

He sent your invitation

and He waits for you to come.

Come receive the gift of eternal life

from God’s own Son.

Leah Hicks

December 24, 2022