This Christmas week Michael writes, Joy is a major theme of this time of year when we celebrate the advent [birth] of our Lord Jesus Christ. The angels who announced Jesus’ birth to the shepherds on a Judean hillside proclaimed, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”
Christmas carols focus on the Joy of the Lord. Isaac Watts took the lyrics from Psalm 98, and even though there is nothing in this song about the birth of Jesus, “Joy to the World the Lord is Come” focuses on God’s work of redemption and salvation that began on that special night. O Holy Night when Christ was born. The birth of Jesus Christ ushered in a new era for all mankind ... an era of joy and peace. Joy to the world, the Savior reigns ... He comes to make His blessings flow, far as the curse is found.
Joy is not the absence of pain or depression, rather, joy is the presence of the Lord. Even though children anticipate Christmas presents, the greatest present of all is God’s greatest gift – the Savior of the world. It is a different type of present. The greatest Christmas present is the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. For God so loved that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Unspeakable joy is in the joy of the Lord, not because of what He gave us but because of who He is. He is the source of our joy and rejoicing. Paul wrote Philippians, the epistle of Joy, by God’s divine inspiration. Philippians 1:12-14, “But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”
Paul’s rejoicing was in the progress of the gospel taking root in the hearts and lives of those born again of God’s Spirt. Joy does not depend on circumstances and the situations of life. Jesus said to His disciples in John 15, If you keep my commandments you will abide in my love ... these things have I spoken to you that your joy may be full. The joy is in keeping his commandments and thereby abiding in the Love of Christ. In abiding in Christ, this is the joy of the Lord in us and through us as we walk together in the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Despite the wounds inflicted by the God-rejecting world around us, our rejoicing is in the Lord and not in the world’s so-called comfort. Our deep-seated joy in the Lord is not affected by trials, tribulation, pain, suffering, illness, and broken relationships that the world inflicts.
In the book of Philippians there is a thief in every chapter that will steal your joy. These include: Circumstances, People, Things, and Worry; Fear and anxious thoughts separate our hearts from God’s heart. The sinful world tempts us to escape the troubles of this chaotic world through temporarily satisfying the lusts of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life. Some turn to drugs, gambling, money, power, or the forbidden poison fruit of illicit relationships.
Paul said to Timothy, “when we hear foolish speculation, don’t let it steal your joy.” How do we defeat joy-stealing thieves? The answer is in Philippians 4:5-8 ... Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice. Let your moderation [your charity and yieldingness in insignificant points] be made known unto all men, the Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication let your requests be made known unto God, and the peace of God that passes all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
There is no peace without the Prince of Peace. For Jesus said in John 14:27, My peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. Joy is not in circumstance. Our joy is in the Lord. Therefore, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross and is set down upon the right hand of the throne of God. Our Joy is in the object of our joy... Our joy is in the Lord. He is the reason for the season ... Joy to the world, the Lord is come, that we may ever live to the praise of the glory of His grace.
Your brother in Christ, Michael
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