This passage starts with Paul telling us how we should live as Christians. Paul is saying that as Christians, we should rejoice in the Lord and that our attitudes should reflect the joy we find in the Lord. By doing this, unbelievers will desire who God is.
Maybe it’s just me, but when Christmas comes around, I seem to have a checklist of the things that need to be done. Inevitably this checklist makes me overwhelmed, and I completely lose sight of what Christmas is actually about. This feeling of being overwhelmed doesn’t cultivate an environment of peace, hope, love, or joy. It does the opposite. I become rushed, stressed, quick to judge, and even faster to become angry. Paul is giving such a good reminder to me that the way we approach Christmas can either make people desire the Lord or not.
Paul says to rejoice in the Lord always. Not just during the times that are not busy. Not just during the times that we are around people we like. In all places, at all hours, around everyone, rejoice in the Lord. By choosing to rejoice in the Lord during such a busy season, people will question where that source of joy comes from. Being joyful in times that are busy is counter-cultural. This joy will draw more people to Jesus.