Joy

Christmas Cheer

Christmas Chronicles

Dawson Loves it

Teen lost Christmas Spirit - Tell Story

Santa’s Watch

Not found in presents or parties etc..

Found deep within

So it is with Joy

Isaiah 9:1–10 NLT

1 Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory. 2 The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. 3 You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder. 4 For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian. 5 The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned. They will be fuel for the fire. 6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen! 8 The Lord has spoken out against Jacob; his judgment has fallen upon Israel. 9 And the people of Israel and Samaria, who spoke with such pride and arrogance, will soon know it. 10 They said, “We will replace the broken bricks of our ruins with finished stone, and replant the felled sycamore-fig trees with cedars.”

Isaiah 9:1–7 NLT

1 Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever. The land of Zebulun and Naphtali will be humbled, but there will be a time in the future when Galilee of the Gentiles, which lies along the road that runs between the Jordan and the sea, will be filled with glory. 2 The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. 3 You will enlarge the nation of Israel, and its people will rejoice. They will rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest and like warriors dividing the plunder. 4 For you will break the yoke of their slavery and lift the heavy burden from their shoulders. You will break the oppressor’s rod, just as you did when you destroyed the army of Midian. 5 The boots of the warrior and the uniforms bloodstained by war will all be burned. They will be fuel for the fire. 6 For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 His government and its peace will never end. He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David for all eternity. The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies will make this happen!

In chapter 8 Isaiah is speaking about a place of sorrow but in Chapter 9 he talks about the coming Messiah

From sorrow to Joy - Christ does this

Can you Imagine the overwhelming feeling of hearing this Good News

Luke 2:8–12 NLT

8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

Joy is mentioned in the bible over 200 times

What do you think Joy means?

The Hebrew and Greek say it is great pleasure, calm delight, gladness

Matthew 5:12 NLT

12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

Matthew 5:11–12 NLT

11 “God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. 12 Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way.

Luke 6:22–23 NLT

22 What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. 23 When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way.

Joy is not the icing on the cake but an essential ingredient if we are followers of Jesus

Jesus came as a babe in a manger to fulfill a great love story and our names are written all over it , if that does not bring you joy i am not sure what will

Joy and happiness sometimes get confused, happiness is dependent on what is happening around you while joy is dependent on Jesus in you.

It is a good feeling in the soul produced by the Holy Spirit, helping us to see the beauty of Christ in the word and in the world.

Paul is a great example

Philippians 4:4 NLT

4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!

Luke 6:22–23 NLT

22 What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. 23 When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way.

Luke 6:23 NLT

23 When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way.

Today you may be thinking well if you only knew what was happening in my life

luke 6

if you knew the heart ache, the troubles

We have all been there, we even may be there now

I acknowledge that Christmas is not an easy time for many, for us this year it has been hard

Arianna

in the midst of that we as children of light are called to have joy it is a fruit of having the spirit live in you

calm delight, gladness in the one who came as a baby in manger, the light of the world

Psalm 28:7 NLT

7 The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

not only are we called to have joy we have to share it, joy is to be pursued - we are called to be light in the darkness, joy in the sorrow.

We need to Choose Joy - Choose to let the spirit glow in us and through us so others can see the light

I choose even through the sorrow to allow the Joy of the one who came to give life shine through, is it easy NO, is it needed absolutely, and in his strength

Job (suffering) said though you slay me yet I will hope in him

Job 13:15–18 NLT

15 God might kill me, but I have no other hope. I am going to argue my case with him. 16 But this is what will save me—I am not godless. If I were, I could not stand before him. 17 “Listen closely to what I am about to say. Hear me out. 18 I have prepared my case; I will be proved innocent.

its deep, have you allowed the spirit of Christ to spring up Joy deep within your heart?

it will change us!

SONG JOY

SO What