The Gift of Joy: Unwrapping God’s Daily Presence

Have you ever poured your heart and soul into a Christmas Gift?

a special knitting project for a loved one

a long wanted gift that your loved one desired

that amazing toy for you grandkid

Maybe a bike

it feels so great to do the work so that another may enjoy it.

GIVERS GAIN for SURE

BUT let me ask you another question —-

How does it feel if you find out they never opened it or used it.

What if you find out that it was put in a closet and never enjoyed.

This is how it is with God

Romans 5:8 “8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Christmas is a celebration of GIFTS give to us as Believers

James 1:17 ESV

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.

Matthew 7:11 ESV

11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

God offers us joy—

not as an emotion tied to circumstances, but as a supernatural gift born through the gospel.

It is one of the first presents God places under the tree of our lives.

THIS IS OUR WORSHIP OF HIS GOOD GIFTS TODAY.

We can GLORIFY GOD but RECOGNIZING AND USING THE GIFTS

This is our Christmas Series

PRESENTS FOR YOUR FUTURE

Sermon Flow

We lift our Christmas List to GOD in Prayer

Would you agree that JOY is a gift we desire

and ASK for from GOD ALOT

Opening Illustration: Talk about how children sometimes shake gifts under the tree trying to figure out what’s inside.

Joy is a “present” we often overlook because it doesn’t always look like what we expect.

Joy is that tiny box that we often put off, because we want to open the BIG BOXES first

Joy Announced at Christmas

Luke 2:10–11 ESV

10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

The very first message of Jesus’ birth was “good news of great joy.”

The gospel begins with joy, not fear.

Joy is different than happy —-

joy is more a state of being than an emotion; a result of choice.

One of the fruits of the spirit.

Having joy is part of the experience of being a Christian

Joy is a GIFT we all DEEPLY DESIRE

Joy Given by Christ (John 15:11):

John 15:11 ESV

11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

Jesus gives His joy, not generic happiness.

Joy is rooted in abiding—staying connected to the Giver.

JOY IS A STATE THAT WE ENJOY AS A CHRISTIAN

it is WHY James tell us

James 1:2–4 ESV

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

JOY IS THE GOOD STUFF —- it is a place we live not a place we VISIT

Joy in God’s Presence (Psalm 16:11):

Ultimate joy is found in the presence of God today and forever.

Joy as Strength (Nehemiah 8:10):

Joy isn’t just a feeling; it is spiritual strength for trials.

Tie to Future Gift:

The joy we experience now is a preview of the eternal joy in God’s presence.

Application / Take-Home

Practice “joy habits”: gratitude lists, worship, slowing down during December, prayer of rejoicing.

Joy is living in Pause, Pray, Ponder, Proceed and Praise

Ask: “Where am I looking for joy outside of Jesus?”

Introduction

It’s December. The lights are up, the tree is glowing, and the presents are beginning to appear under the tree.

And if you’ve ever had kids—or if you’ve ever been a kid

—you know that half the fun of Christmas is checking those gifts early.

Picking them up. Shaking them. Trying to guess what’s inside.

Have you ever noticed that some gifts don’t look exciting from the outside?

They don’t shake. They don’t rattle. They don’t look impressive.

But once you open them…

they become the things you cherish the most.

JOY. A supernatural gift—not tied to circumstances, not dependent on emotions, not fragile… but durable, eternal, powerful joy.

This joy is one of the first gifts that God gives us through the gospel.

It is a present you can open right now—

and a preview of the joy you’ll experience forever in eternity.

1. JOY WAS THE FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT OF CHRISTMAS

Luke 2:10–11

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”

Before Jesus even took His first breath, before a miracle was performed, before a parable was preached—

Heaven announced JOY.

Why?

Because the gospel begins in joy. Salvation is not rooted in fear, but in joy. Jesus didn’t come to condemn but to restore—to give life, hope, and purpose.

Heaven could have announced judgment. It could have revealed wrath. It could have declared warning.

But God said:

JOY is coming into the world.

2. JOY IS A GIFT JESUS GIVES TO HIS DISCIPLES

John 15:11

“I have told you these things so that My joy may be in you and that your joy may be full.”

Notice Jesus doesn’t say: “I want you to be happy.” He doesn’t say: “I hope you feel encouraged.”

He says: “My joy.” Jesus gives His joy.

Joy that is rooted in heaven, not tied to the economy… not tied to the news cycle… not tied to how people treat you… not tied to your performance or perfection.

Joy is the overflow of remaining connected to Jesus.

The text says this joy becomes “full.” Full joy isn’t partial. It isn’t temporary. It’s complete.

3. JOY IS FOUND IN GOD’S PRESENCE

Psalm 16:11

“In Your presence there is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Joy is not a personality trait. It’s not optimism. It’s not pretending everything is okay.

Joy is the natural atmosphere of God’s presence.

When you walk with God, joy walks with you. When you stay near Him, joy stays near you. When you distance yourself, your joy drains.

Some of us don’t need more money or more answers or more opportunities. We simply need more of God’s presence.

4. JOY IS A SOURCE OF STRENGTH

Nehemiah 8:10

“The joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Joy is not weak. Joy is not soft. Joy is not secondary.

Joy is strength.

When joy goes up, strength goes up.

When joy goes down, strength goes down.

The enemy doesn’t just attack your body.

He doesn’t just attack your circumstances.

He attacks your joy because joy is what gives you spiritual endurance.

This is why people burn out spiritually— not because God stopped blessing them, but because they stopped cultivating joy.

5. JOY TODAY IS A PREVIEW OF JOY FOREVER

Joy is a down payment. A preview. A foretaste.

It is God giving you a little sample of what heaven will feel like.

Think of it this way: God gives us joy now so that when we see Him face to face, the atmosphere feels familiar.

Application: How to Unwrap Joy Daily

Practice gratitude. Joy grows where gratitude lives.

Worship intentionally. Joy flows through praise like water flows through a faucet.

Simplify your December. Build margin for presence—not pressure.

Pray for joy every morning. Ask God to fill you with supernatural joy today.

Conclusion

The first gift under God’s Christmas tree is joy—

A joy that the world can’t give, A joy circumstances can’t steal, A joy that is both present and eternal.

Let God give you the gift of joy today… and let that joy strengthen you for your future.

so God has just revealed one of his gifts to you this morning.

are you going to open it and enjoy it

This is a way to GLORIFY GOD by Growing others

Live in HIS JOY, ENJOY HIS GIFT, and SHOW IT ALWAYS TO OTHERS

Next Week Teaser:

“Next Sunday we unwrap a second gift:

Grace—a present we didn’t deserve but desperately needed.”