Have you ever lost something precious to you — a pet, a wedding ring, your phone, your keys? Such loss creates a pit in your stomach because it held a very special place in your heart. But what joy comes when we find what we thought was lost!

How much greater is the joy of our Good Shepherd who cares so deeply and intimately for that one wandering sheep (you and me). How much greater is the joy of our Good Shepherd when he goes to such great lengths to find his wandering sheep! He then carries us on His shoulders, covered with all the grime and dirt we have accumulated, and restores us back to a life in His presence, clean and reconciled to Him. All the while there is unfathomable joy in heaven over this and — who knows? — maybe there are even fireworks going off in heaven over our return to Him!

Reflecting on the joy Jesus finds in each repentant sinner like you and me makes me adore the gift of Jesus more and more. After giving my life to Christ over 20 years ago, I would read this passage and thank Him for going after little old me that “one time” when I first called Jesus my Lord and Savior. (Maybe fireworks were going off in heaven then, too?)

What I’ve come to realize is that there have been several times in these 20-plus years that I have wandered off. You know: doing things my way, trying to control my life and the lives of those around me, running from God and from myself.

And yet, Jesus relentlessly pursues me. Every. Single. Time. Each time I fully surrender all of me and all my heart to Him, it opens my eyes to the heart of Jesus as my Good Shepherd. Each time I walk through this, I come to know His voice better, I trust Him more to go ahead of me to prepare my path, He anoints me with his oil to heal those areas that are still wounded, and He redirects my heart back to His amazing love.

Jesus truly is the joy and heart of Christmas!