Choose Joy!
Part 4 of the “Comfort & Joy” Advent Message Series
The BIG Idea
During this sacred and holy season, we are called to stop and consider the many ways God has shown and continues to show us the love of God. In our earthly lives, there will be several things attempting to destroy our joy. Several of these are evident in the birth story of Jesus. The central figures of the true Christmas story had to make a choice. Joy is a choice. When we choose joy, we proclaim Jesus and prepare our lives to receive Him.
*Joy is mentioned 8 times in the true Christmas story.
Happiness is based on what “happens” – or “happenstance” – and relies fully on temporary external circumstances.
Joy is based on our choices and is about our internal character. It is long lasting.
Happiness is temporary. Joy is eternal!
Joy is far more than an emotion. It’s a way of life!
Christianity is a joy-filled faith.
These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. – John 15:11 (NASB)
“Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of every detail in my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything will be all right, and the determined choice to praise God in all things.” - From “Choose Joy” by Kay Warren (2012)
In the true Christmas story, there were some key moments in which the characters had to make a choice over TRUTH and not FEELINGS that would rob them of joy.
Anxiety sought to destroy Mary’s joy.
When Mary was afraid and anxious, she chose to trust God and be a part of God’s plan.
Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. – Luke 1:38 (NLT)
My spirit finds its joy in God, my Savior. – Luke 1:47 (GW paraphrase)
Resentment over a “hurt” sought to destroy Joseph’s joy.
When Joseph was hurt, he chose to offer grace and release, or let go, of the resentment.
18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be pregnant by the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, since he was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. 20 But when he had thought this over, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a Son; and you shall name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” – Matthew 1:18-21 (NASB)
Resentment over hurt will keep the joy out of our lives. It is impossible to be resentful and joyful at the same time.
Confusion sought to destroy the joy of the Magi.
When the Magi were confused, they chose to follow God’s guiding light one step at a time.
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,2 “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: 6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For from you will come forth a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod secretly called for the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” 9 After hearing the king, they went on their way; and behold, the star, which they had seen in the east, went on ahead of them until it came to a stop over the place where the Child was to be found. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And after they came into the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary; and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. – Matthew 2:1-11 (NASB)
Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. – Psalm 119:105 (NASB)
And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” – Nehemiah 8:10 (NLT)
Questions for Reflection
What are you anxious about this Christmas? What are you worried about? What are you afraid of at this moment?
What resentment are you embracing right now in your life? Do you want to be bitter, or do you want to be blessed?
The magi followed, they were seeking, they found, and then they worshiped. We are all in at least one of those four places in our faith journey. Which one of the four are you right now?
Have you made a choice to live life based on your happiness or with your choice to be filled with the joy of Christ?
During this sacred and holy season, we are called to stop and consider the many ways God has shown and continues to show us the love of God. In our earthly lives, there will be several things attempting to destroy our joy. Several of these are evident in the birth story of Jesus. The central figures of the true Christmas story had to make a choice. Joy is a choice. When we choose joy, we proclaim Jesus and prepare our lives to receive Him.
*Joy is mentioned 8 times in the true Christmas story.
Happiness is based on what “happens” – or “happenstance” – and relies fully on temporary external circumstances.
Joy is based on our choices and is about our internal character. It is long lasting.
Happiness is temporary. Joy is eternal!
Joy is far more than an emotion. It’s a way of life!
Christianity is a joy-filled faith.
These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. – John 15:11 (NASB)
“Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of every detail in my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything will be all right, and the determined choice to praise God in all things.” - From “Choose Joy” by Kay Warren (2012)
In the true Christmas story, there were some key moments in which the characters had to make a choice over TRUTH and not FEELINGS that would rob them of joy.
Anxiety sought to destroy Mary’s joy.
When Mary was afraid and anxious, she chose to trust God and be a part of God’s plan.
Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her. – Luke 1:38 (NLT)
My spirit finds its joy in God, my Savior. – Luke 1:47 (GW paraphrase)
Resentment over a “hurt” sought to destroy Joseph’s joy.
When Joseph was hurt, he chose to offer grace and release, or let go, of the resentment.
18 Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be pregnant by the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, since he was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. 20 But when he had thought this over, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a Son; and you shall name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” – Matthew 1:18-21 (NASB)
Resentment over hurt will keep the joy out of our lives. It is impossible to be resentful and joyful at the same time.
Confusion sought to destroy the joy of the Magi.
When the Magi were confused, they chose to follow God’s guiding light one step at a time.
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying,2 “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: 6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For from you will come forth a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod secretly called for the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” 9 After hearing the king, they went on their way; and behold, the star, which they had seen in the east, went on ahead of them until it came to a stop over the place where the Child was to be found. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And after they came into the house, they saw the Child with His mother Mary; and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures and presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. – Matthew 2:1-11 (NASB)
- In verses 1-3, notice the magi displayed four qualities: they followed, they were seeking, they found, and they worshiped. We are all in at least one of those four places in our faith journey.
Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. – Psalm 119:105 (NASB)
And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” – Nehemiah 8:10 (NLT)
Questions for Reflection
What are you anxious about this Christmas? What are you worried about? What are you afraid of at this moment?
What resentment are you embracing right now in your life? Do you want to be bitter, or do you want to be blessed?
The magi followed, they were seeking, they found, and then they worshiped. We are all in at least one of those four places in our faith journey. Which one of the four are you right now?
Have you made a choice to live life based on your happiness or with your choice to be filled with the joy of Christ?