So, in the very short letter (of 1John), John introduces his purpose for writing the letter to the Christ followers out there who were being tracked down and eliminated--much like Christ followers are being tracked down and killed in the middle east today.

He says to them in 1 John 1:4, "These things we write to you that your joy may be full."  That's it.  That's what John is writing to people about.  Joy.  We can live in a state of joy because of what is ahead of us.  Death is conquered.  Because of Jesus, we can live with God forever.

We, in this part of the world, in this age, have heard John's message so often that we are no longer amazed by it.  We need a fresh dose of Joy.  It is an amazing story.

True belief in what John had to tell us will inspire us to spread the word.  We have a story to tell that is wonderful.  Amazing.  A cause to celebrate and spread "Joy to the world--the Lord is come."

Think back to the moment that you heard the story for the first time, and believed in a risen Christ.  In a God who loves you and died for your sins.   Your heart was full of emotion.  You were forgiven.  You were accepted by God into his family.  Someone died in your place.  You were guilty, but Jesus took your blame.  Everything you ever did wrong was erased.  Now that is joy.

But as we live the life, sometimes the day to day hassles of living can overtake us and cause us to forget what our real purpose is.  We are to spread joy with the story of Jesus.

Joy to the world, the Lord is come,
Let earth receive her King.
Let every heart, prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing...

Christmas in August.