Joy For Christmas
A Christmas Gift • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Reading:
11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
Introduction:
There was once a small town that prepared for Christmas the same way every year.
Lights were hung, music filled the streets, and gifts were carefully wrapped.
For a few weeks, the town felt brighter and kinder.
Strangers smiled, neighbors spoke again, and hope seemed close.
But every year, once Christmas passed, the lights came down, the smiles faded, and life returned to its usual heaviness.
One winter, a child asked a simple question:
“Why does the joy never stay?” The question lingered.
The decorations had brought cheer, but not change. The celebrations had lifted spirits, but not hearts.
That question points us to a deeper truth.
The joy of Christmas was never meant to come from what surrounds us, but from who came to us.
When Jesus entered the world, He did not bring a momentary happiness—He brought a joy that transforms.
His joy changes hearts, restores hope, and remains even when the season ends.
This is the joy the angels announced, the shepherds experienced, and what the world still needs today.
Transition:
The question that child asked—‘Why does the joy never stay?’—forces us to confront something important.
What the world calls joy is usually just a reaction to what’s happening around us.
But biblical joy is different.
Joy isn’t something we fall into; it’s something we choose by faith.
And to understand that kind of joy, we need to see how God brought it into real people’s lives—people who were afraid, confused, and unsure, just like us.
Jesus brought Joy to Mary and Joseph (Matthew 1:18-21; Luke 2:28-33)
Jesus brought Joy to Mary and Joseph (Matthew 1:18-21; Luke 2:28-33)
From Joseph’s perspective, he found himself in a hurtful scenario.
Illustration:
(Tell the story of Joseph being engaged to Mary).
The Lord allowed a scenario in Joseph’s life to show his faith.
The woman he was engaged to is found to be pregnant.
He knows it’s not his child!
How would you handle this if it were you?
Your fiancé left town for a little bit to visit her cousin, and she comes back and her pregnancy is showing.
What’s your first thought?
It’s not a good thought!
What kind of conversation are you having when you compose yourself enough to talk with her?
God knew how Joseph would take the surprise.
He provided what Joseph needed in the scenario to reassure Him that God knows what He’s doing.
20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
The angel showed his hand to Joseph.
There is no slight of hand, the baby is Jesus!
The promised messiah is here and your going to be His earthly dad.
Good thing the angel showed up, considering Joseph had planned to divorce her; in a way that showed his love for her.
19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.
Joseph needed what the angel told him: the truth.
The truth provided Joy to Joseph that strengthened his faith.
Point:
What message of truth do you need from the Lord to strengthen your faith?
Dig into source of truth to find your joy.
“Joy is birthed when we choose to believe what God says over what we see.”
Maybe the truth that you need is:
No matter what is happening Jesus loves you and calls you His child.
Joseph showed that it takes Faith to trust the message from God.
Mary’s interaction with the angel was handled much differently than Joseph’s
(Tell the story of Mary)
Mary reacted in fear!
29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.
Many of us experience fear in different ways.
Illustration:
When I was a youth pastor I would inform all the youth that when we get home from summer camp, all of them had to give a report to the congregation about summer camp.
It didn’t take very long to see who was deathly afraid of public speaking.
There was something that helped their fear:
Reminding them of how many donated towards going to camp, and they needed to let them know what an impact it had on you.
It was actually letting them know the truth:
Their testimonies would encourage the congregation and they shouldn’t hold back that blessing from their church family.
Mary was afraid and the Lord met her where she was:
30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
He brought good news!
The best news.
You will have a child, and it will be God Himself.
You will birth the long awaited Messiah.
Because she chose to believe the message of the angel; her Joy was full.
Even in the face of all she would have to endure.
Connection:
Understand that God will meet you where you are.
He will address your fears and through faith you can have joy even in unsure circumstances.
Mary could respond to the angel from a place of Joy.
38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Both Joseph and Mary had their faith challenged.
They both needed truth from God to help strengthen their faith.
Since they chose to believe the angel they received Joy that no situation could take away from them.
Joy is a choice by faith not a reaction from a circumstance.
Transition:
By coming into the lives of Joseph and Mary Jesus brought them Joy; just like He will do for me and you.
“What God did privately in the hearts of Mary and Joseph, He now announces publicly to the shepherds.
The joy that strengthens faith in quiet moments is the same joy that God proclaims out loud to a watching world.”
Jesus brought Joy to the Shepherds (Luke 2:8-20)
Jesus brought Joy to the Shepherds (Luke 2:8-20)
(Tell the story of the Shepherds tending to their flocks at night)
The appearing of the angel scared them, not just a little a lot.
9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.
God met their fear with good news.
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.
Joy can be found where you are!
The shepherds were tending their flock in fields; they weren’t looking for the Lord.
Joy came to them, sent by the Lord in the announcement of great news.
Let’s place a perspective to this moment.
[Explain the status of the shepherds]
Contrary to their low status Joy came to them at night.
Connection:
It doesn’t matter where you are, or what time of day it is.
You can have joy!
The good news came to bring you joy, knowing that your relationship with God and your eternity is secure; never changing!
We also see that Joy is shared.
17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child.
18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.
The shepherds went and spread the joy they received.
It was a gift that was too good to hold onto themselves.
They went into the town to all those who despised, and avoided them.
Why would they do that?
Illustration:
When Katie and I found out that she was pregnant with Ella, the excitement for the little bundle of joy coming into our lives wasn’t something I could contain.
I called the radio station and told them the “blessing” our family would receive soon.
When people have good news that is overly exciting and we want everyone they talk with to know and share in that celebration.
The joy of Jesus’ arrival wasn’t easily contained by the shepherds and the joy over ruled the social structure between shepherds and town folk.
They shared their joy with everyone and they all “wondered” about their message.
You joy should be uncontainable and shared with all.
The joy of what God is doing in your life.
How He is stretching your faith and strengthening it.
Truth that is shoring up your belief in Him.
The blessings of relationships you have with your family, and church family.
“Shared joy builds belonging”
“Biblical joy always overflows—it cannot remain private for long.”
Joy should be shared; but it’s not instant:
Joy is a journey.
The wise men shows us a journey of Joy.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
They rejoiced, then pursued the object of their joy; Jesus!
Notice that their journey to Jesus isn’t the same as the shepherds.
Jesus meets us where we are, provides the the object of joy (Jesus) and it is up to us to pursue joy; but it isn’t always the same journey.
Illustration:
When we head to Florida our destinations are typically the same, which makes our trip the same too.
There have been a few times that we have taken a few detours around accidents, flooded stretches of highway or other things.
We still got to our destination; but the journey wasn’t always the same.
The journey to joy isn’t always the same either.
You can get to joy through:
Tears
Excitement
Hard work
Point:
We can have joy no matter what is going on because the object of our joy is Jesus, as we are pursuing Him with our whole being He brings us joy.
The problem is when we pursue fake joy.
Example:
People pursue and spend their youth on objects or possessions.
People pursue status, power, wealth.
We understand what pursuing something is like.
The things we pursue typically hold us back from true joy!
Like a garden it takes cultivation for growth:
Wake up every day and thank the Lord you woke up and you can get out of bed under your own power.
You’re pursuing joy, and it will produce a thankfulness.
Every person you come in contact with seek something to pray for them about.
Your pursuing joy, and it will produce an love for others.
Each situation look for something to thank the Lord for.
Your pursuing joy, and it will grow your positive outlook in life.
What will happen in the sad or hard moments of life: you will see the joy of the Lord in the situation because you have been conditioning your mind to recognize it.
The hard things will be less difficult and you can endure.
Pursue joy in your everyday life and your joy will be full!
Pursuing joy is a journey, you don’t just arrive you take the trip.
“God’s joy isn’t limited to one experience or one moment—it unfolds as we pursue Him.”
“This joy wasn’t just for a couple, or a group of shepherds, or a few travelers from the East.
From the very beginning, God made it clear—this joy was meant for the entire world.”
Jesus brought Joy to the World (Luke 2:10; Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 1:23)
Jesus brought Joy to the World (Luke 2:10; Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 1:23)
The angel’s announcement to the shepherds brought more clarity about Jesus’ arrival.
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.
Jesus’ arrival is the fulfilling of the Abrahamic covenant.
The whole world would be blessed through one in his lineage.
Jesus came for every person, not just a select few.
The prophecy had promised how Jesus’ coming would impact all.
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Jesus’ kingdom would bear the weight of the world.
He would come and be the wonderful counselor
What would make Him a wonderful counselor?
The descriptive word here is Wonderful; which means extraordinary!
Jesus’ counsel would be characterized by great wisdom and perfect judgment.
If you have ever been under an selfish, evil dictator the thing that you hope for the most is a leader who is fair, and just, and all knowing.
How awesome would it be to have a leader like that.
Jesus’ titles ascribed in Isaiah 9 would give a picture of a perfect, all knowing, peaceful leader.
The world needs this kind of leader, we need this kind of leader.
When Jesus came He brought peace, gave hope to the hopeless, and is still leading in righteousness.
Throughout it is easy to loose sight of the point of Christmas.
Illustration:
In the workforce everyone sees the boss and the luxurious life they lead.
Eating at lunch meetings
Playing golf at meetings
Driving nicer vehicles than you drive
A bigger house and more “toys”
People begin thinking they want to be the boss, until they try it and realize the pressure and the lack of freedom they have.
Only to realize that it is kind of nice to just put in your hours, go home and collect a paycheck.
When we loose sight of how awesome Jesus is, all that He controls and How much He provides for us we have to change our perspective.
Accept the Joy He offers by giving the burden of control over your life to Him.
He is a father over His children who wants the best for them.
“Joy is not earned—it is received and cultivated through relationship.”
Jesus brought joy to the world in the opportunity of exchanging our will for His!
How well do you take care of everything when you are in control?
How well does everything come together when He is in control?
Surrender your will and watch how He arranges things and receive the Joy He provides.
11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
God wants the best for us, and He provided the means to achieve it.
The only requirement is to accept the gift of Joy, it isn’t earned it’s cultivated through relationship.
Conclusion:
1. Joy is received when we believe God’s truth.
Joseph and Mary faced fear, confusion, and uncertainty—but joy came when they trusted what God said. When we choose faith over fear, joy takes root.
2. Joy is given where we are and meant to be shared.
The shepherds didn’t seek joy—joy came to them. And once they received it, they couldn’t keep it to themselves. Joy grows when it’s shared.
3. Joy is found in the journey of pursuing Jesus.
The wise men rejoiced and kept going. The path wasn’t the same for everyone—but the destination was. When Jesus is the object of our pursuit, joy follows us through every season.
Closing thought:
Ask yourself the question:
‘What is stealing my joy—and am I willing to trust You with it?’
Jesus didn’t come to decorate your life for a season. He came to transform your heart forever.
Christmas joy doesn’t fade when the decorations come down—because Jesus doesn’t leave.
Choose faith, share the good news, surrender control, and let the joy He brought fill your life every day.
-Pray!
