J-O-Y, Mary's Joy promised.

Read Psalm 98 for responsive scripture reading.

We all know the Song JOY TO THE WORLD THE LORD HAS COME! or How Great OUR JOY- JOY JOY JOY

Christmas is about Joy! The Joy of Jesus and His coming to earth to save us from our sins.

Now if we are being honest Joy to the world was not written as a Christmas song. Isaac Watts wrote the song with Psalm 98 in mind with Jesus physical rule on the earth and the end of the curse and the Messiah sitting on the throne as his goal.

BUT You can view Joy to the world as a Christmas song. Because I don’t care if it is 1st coming or His 2nd coming. The believer will have JOY at the coming of Jesus. Weather in a manger to live as a man and die for our sins or on a white horse to the mount of olives to rule the nations and for the curse of sin to be gone, doesn’t matter to me. Jesus coming is about JOY if He is your Jesus.

My point today is that JESUS IS COMING, that should bring you JOY!

LETS UNDERSTAND JOY

It has taken me all year but I think it is time for us to really talk about what joy is.

Joy is a spiritual reality, a delight in God’s favor and presence. Joy is not fleeting like happiness, but anchored in a deep personal relationship with God.

John 15:11 These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

Joy is rooted in God’s nature and promises.

Joy is resilient even in suffering.

Joy is deepened with intimacy with Christ.

Joy is tied to God living in us and working through us.

JOY really is Jesus than others and finally you. And we see that so much through the Christmas Story this week I want to look at the story of Mary and Elizabeth.

Joy is rooted in God’s promises!

Luke 1:26–28 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”

I can’t think of a better example of the Joy of Jesus!

Jesus is right there. The desire of nations he is called. Today we long for our Jesus to return, we end every service by saying Maranatha come quickly LORD Jesus we want him here today. We long for His appearing. The hope of heaven and eternity with Jesus and the hope that this world has because of Jesus give us hope. When it seems that all hope is long the believer has Joy because Jesus is coming. Well for Mary. JESUS WAS HERE! Right there in her womb. She is told to rejoice because the promised Messiah that the world had been longing for was right there. This is where we get to that song Mary did you know?

Joy is resilient even in suffering.

Luke 1:29–33 But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

Mary is shocked, she is troubled and scared. The things that God is going to have her go through won’t steal her joy. Think about it. Mary is going to in Christ’s life. Become pregnant out of wedlock, have to explain this to Joseph, have a baby and put him in a manger, have a kind try to kill that son, probably lose her husband Joseph and watch her son die on a cross. That’s a lot. Some of the women hear have told me how difficult there pregnancy’s were they have told me about how they were labeled as the black sheep of the family, told me about the loss of a child, the loss of a husband. The hurt the pain. The trouble. Poverty fear all of it. But she had hope in this little baby Jesus. And if Jesus could bring Mary JOY through all of that. He can do the same through you. Remember there is a difference between happiness and Joy. No one is like o Gee I am so happy that my son passed away, No this is different. Because of Jesus and our relationship with Him. I will see my son again. That is resilient joy through suffering.

Joy is an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.

Luke 1:34–35 Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.

Mary was told rejoice highly favored one. She is going to have the Holy Spirit come upon her. Something that Christ extended to you. But she is going to have something special she is going to carry the Christ Child. I believe that there is a special bond when a mother carries a child in her womb. One I will never understand, but it is there. I always think about that verse in Isaiah where it says can a nursing mother forget her child, maybe that is tragic but I have engraved you on the palm of your hand. We have intimacy in our relationship with Jesus. He lives right here. Our name is written right there on his nail scarred hands. If Jesus is the King of Kings. AND HE IS!!!!!! than you have Joy in that I am His and He is mine.

Joy is letting God work through us.

Luke 1:36–38 Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren. For with God nothing will be impossible.” Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Jesus is the God of the impossible. I believe that with my entire heart. That with man these things are impossible but with God all things are possible. If you have the Holy Spirit you will have joy even in the middle of impossible circumstances and it isn’t about you and what you can do. It is about God and what He can do. Joy is know that with GOD nothing is impossible and knowing that He can use even someone like you to do a great work in the heart of those around you and he can work in you and through you for His good pleasure.

JOY is Jesus and others and You. I need to turn our attention to that Joy we have when we can share Jesus with others.

Mary wanted to share her reason to rejoice with Elizabeth.

Luke 1:39–40 Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.

This is supernatural. When a child is planned that is wonderful. But in this situation, this was a shock, but she ran to Elizabeth. This is where we see the joy in sharing with others.

Joy is shared with other people filled with the Holy Spirit.

Luke 1:41 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

I can’t stress this, this was unique at the time. Two women filled with the Holy Spirit at the same time. We have something different today. We have the promise of the Holy Spirit. Two women in the FLC can be out there talking and they have the Holy Spirit. They should REJOICE! We need more of that. We tend to quench the spirit. You should be out there rejoicing with each other. You should also be hurting and reminding people of the joy and hope that we have in Jesus during rough times.

Rejoice with others when they receive blessings.

Luke 1:42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

Praise God you are having a baby. As Americans we tend to be to cynical and pessimistic! Oh how are you going to take care of that baby. Or if someone is blessed with a new car, we say how are you going to pay for that car. Just rejoice when God gives someone a blessing, a gift. Don’t be too practical. May it all blow up in there face, YES! But, then we will help them pick up the pieces. But do you notice that Mary didn’t scold or question or doubt or be pessimistic with Mary. She just rejoiced with her. She could have done all those things but chose joy instead.

Jesus brings real and miraculous joy.

Luke 1:43–44 But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

Why would you share the joy with Mary. Mary had Joy but she cose to share it with Elizabeth who was having her own joy and shared it with Mary and the cousins weren’t even born yet and they were sharing joy with each other, it was all amazing and it was all worth it.

There is joy in believing the promises of God.

Luke 1:45 Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.

When you believe in the promises of God. When you share them with others. You will experience the joy of God and that is something that the world will never take away.

Mary’s song

Joy Magnifies the LORD! (puts Jesus first above all!)

Luke 1:46 And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,”

Christmas is often the most difficult time of the year for people. Some people don’t even want to think about the holiday. It may bring up trauma, it may remind them of loss. I understand it may not be what it was when you were a child, however that is a biproduct of us taking away the meaning of Christmas. Christmas should be first and foremost about Christ. We remember the greatest gift the world has ever been given, Jesus Christ our LORD. If we put Christ first, then we will enjoy the JOY of CHRISTMAS! When we take our eyes of Jesus Christmas becomes happiness and your happiness can be stolen. If Christmas is about family, they will let you down, most of us have been hurt by family. IF Christmas is about gifts eventually you will be disappointed. If it is about Santa Clause than you will be believing a lie. If it is a day off work, I am sorry for you. But if Christmas is about Jesus CHRIST than you will know the joy of Christmas. Then all those other things can fall in place and become pleasant memories, but the day is not dependant on those things and they will not steal your joy. When Jesus has first place. Then you can enjoy family and friends, gifts are a reminder of the greatest gift, Jesus and the food can be enjoyed and the day off work is a special bonus!

Joy rejoices in the gift of the Savior!

Luke 1:47 And my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.

God’s gift is salvation. Jesus dying on the cross to pay for your sins saving you from sin and death and hell. I think that we can appreciate this gift today, but we really won’t know the extent of the gift until our faith is made sight

Joy is realizing that a Holy God has showered you with the gifts of His grace.

Luke 1:48-49 For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. For He who is mighty has done great things for me, And holy is His name.

This Christmas be grateful God’s Grace. There are so many gifts that come with Jesus, that go beyond salvation. Remember if Christmas is joy in Jesus remember all of His wonder gifts that He has showered on us. Hope of HEAVEN, indwelling of the Holy Spirit, power of persistent prayer, grace, mercy, and truth like the world has never known. The gifts of the Christmas story go well beyond Gold, Frankhensence and myrr

Joy is shared with Others during Christmas

The Joy of Christmas should be shared with the next generation.

Luke 1:50–51 And His mercy is on those who fear Him From generation to generation. He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

It is our job to share with the next generation the joy of Christmas. DAD’S before you distribute the presents. Be the man of the house. Open the Bible and read the Christmas story. Remind all those children of the mercy of God that we recieved when Jesus came to this earth to die for our sins and provide heaven. That is what Christmas is all about.

Joy is about helping those less fortunate during Christmas time.

Luke 1:52–53 He has put down the mighty from their thrones, And exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, And the rich He has sent away empty.

Jesus came not embrace the wealthy, the kings, the prominant. Even though His grace extends to them, but He came for the poor, the broken, and the lost. If we are going to truly find joy this Christmas part of that is thinking of others above yourself like Christ did. God gives to the poor, he satisfies the hungry, Sometimes our joy is being the vessel that shares the blessing. Church family. Thank you so much for working together whether it be with Operation Christmas Child, Holiday Hamper, preparing gifts to give out for deacon caring boxes, baking cookies, preparing meals. We are not a social gospel church. But we need to be a serving church. Joy is found when you put others before yourself.

Joy is remembering that God has a plan for Israel this holiday season.

Luke 1:54–55 He has helped His servant Israel, In remembrance of His mercy, As He spoke to our fathers, To Abraham and to his seed forever.

I have joy in remembering that God didn’t through Israel out, His chosen people. He still watches after them and cares for them. We saw that this year and think of that when it comes up in Christmas hymns and Scripture Jesus was born not just for the church. He is also the king of the Jews and that should bring you joy to remember that even though they rejected Him, He still has a plan for them.

Rejoice with others this Christmas.

Luke 1:57–58 Now Elizabeth’s full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth a son. When her neighbors and relatives heard how the Lord had shown great mercy to her, they rejoiced with her.

This Christmas don’t let it be all about me me me. Before you get excited about your gift. Rejoice with others. Tell your family how thankful to God you are for them. Be joyful for all the things God is doing in there lives. Thank God for every new baby. Be excited, not covetous or jealous, but excited for your cousins new car. Especially encourage every step towards faith that someone makes. But find JOY in the lives of what God is doing for others.

Remember J-O-Y this Christmas is Jesus than others than you.

Remember the angel coming to Mary

Joy is Confidence in God’s nature and Promises,

Joy is resilient in suffering,

Joy is intimacy with Christ,

Joy is God working in you and through you to serve the world.

It is J-O-Y and when you know Jesus nothing can steal your JOY!