It is good to remember the God Christians worship revealed himself by providing a delicious tasting wine at a party.  Now isn't there something fabulous about that! The wedding at Cana in Galilee was the occasion when Jesus performed His first miracle. (John 2:1-12) He not only took water and turning into 90+ point wine, but he also made a lot of it ... 150 gallons of excellent wine.  Whoever says God is boring, religion is dull, and out of touch with real-life needs to read this story. Jesus is the ultimate party guest! He brings the wine.  He brings the joy.

Why do we see religion as dull and irrelevant?  When Jesus came into a town, do you know what he did? He healed every one of anything that afflicted them. In Luke 14:40, it says: "At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them." Can you imagine the mood of the people healed of their illness?  Trusted me, there was a party in town that night.  Everyone who became well would be laughing and dancing and praising God. 

The God we believe in is a God who brings healing and joy.  If there ever was a time we need that God, it's at the end of 2020.  On the night Jesus was born, an angel appeared to a group of shepherds near Bethlehem and proclaimed, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." Good news - great joy - that's what Jesus Christ is all about. 

Humanity yearns for hope, meaning, and purpose.  Without God as a vital part of our existence, only emptiness and futility remain. There is no denying that life is hard, especially this year. We could find reasons to despair on every corner. If ever you feel tempted to frown, if the news headlines are too much, or if your day was just plain awful, look to Jesus for joy. And remember, he is the great winemaker, the one who heals, who gave his life that we might live. 

This is good news of great joy!