Nehemiah 8:8-10 So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. And Nehemiah which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the Lord your God, mourn not, nor weep. For all the people wept when they heard the words of the law. Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord; neither be ye sorry, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Reading and understanding the sense of the Word of God causes a day to be holy. They wept when they heard the Law, for they were penitent and sorrowful for their sins. Nehemiah said, don’t be sorry, for the day is holy. They responded with a feast of eating and drinking and giving, much like our Christmas. The result of hearing the Word was the joy of the Lord. The Law leads to penitence, the Gospel leads to faith, faith leads to joy and celebration.
The day on which the Word of God is read publicly, with understanding, and making sense of the meaning, is a Holy Day unto the Lord. This happens on the high feast days of the church and on every Sunday And every day that begins with the Word and prayer can be a day set apart for the Lord. Daily prayer makes every day special and the Lord is with us. The joy of the Lord is our response to the Word preached and heard, and His joy gives us strength for the day.