Embracing Joy: Making Merry This Christmas Season
Summary
Merry Christmas! Today, I want to talk about joy, a theme that resonates deeply, especially in a year like 2020, which has been filled with pain for many. Despite the challenges, the angel's proclamation of "good news of great joy" remains true for all people. This joy is not just a fleeting emotion but a profound state of being that we are invited to embrace, especially during the Christmas season.
The distinction between "happy" and "merry" is significant. While happiness is an emotional state, merriment involves action and celebration. Christmas has traditionally been a time for making merry, a season of feasting, dancing, and joy. This is reflected in the story of Scrooge and Bob Cratchit, where merriment leads to transformation and generosity.
The Christmas season, beginning with Advent and culminating in the Epiphany, is a time of great celebration. The story of Jesus' birth is filled with joy, from the angel's announcement to Zechariah to the rejoicing of the Magi. These wise men, despite being outsiders, are overwhelmed with "exceedingly great joy" upon finding Jesus. Their joy is not just an emotion but a response to the divine invitation to worship and give.
We are called to make merry, to actively engage in joy-filled behaviors that reflect and enhance our inner joy. This involves singing, giving, and celebrating, even when we don't feel like it. Joy is not dependent on our circumstances but is a choice we make, a response to the good news of Jesus' birth.
Today, I encourage you to make merry. Wear something that brings you joy, eat food you love, listen to music that uplifts you, and be with people who bring you happiness. Give gifts, play games, and don't take life too seriously. Joy to the world, the Lord has come! Let us open our treasures and share this joy with others.
Key Takeaways:
1. Joy in the Midst of Pain: Even in a year filled with pain, the message of Christmas is one of joy. This joy is not just an emotion but a profound state of being that transcends our circumstances. We are invited to embrace this joy, knowing that it is rooted in the good news of Jesus' birth. [00:34]
2. The Distinction Between Happy and Merry: Happiness is an emotional state, while merriment involves action and celebration. Christmas invites us to make merry, to engage in joyful activities that transform our hearts and lives. This active participation in joy is a powerful response to the gift of Jesus. [00:55]
3. The Joy of the Magi: The Magi, despite being outsiders, experience "exceedingly great joy" upon finding Jesus. Their joy is a response to the divine invitation to worship and give. This story reminds us that joy is available to all, regardless of our background or circumstances. [05:51]
4. Making Merry as a Spiritual Practice: We are called to make merry, to engage in joy-filled behaviors that reflect and enhance our inner joy. This involves singing, giving, and celebrating, even when we don't feel like it. Joy is a choice we make, a response to the good news of Jesus' birth. [07:42]
5. Practical Ways to Make Merry: Today, make merry by wearing something that brings you joy, eating food you love, listening to uplifting music, and being with people who bring you happiness. Give gifts, play games, and don't take life too seriously. Joy to the world, the Lord has come! [08:09]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:22] - Introduction to Joy
- [00:44] - Happy vs. Merry
- [01:07] - The Tradition of Merrymaking
- [02:36] - Advent and the 12 Days of Christmas
- [03:27] - The Epiphany and the Magi
- [04:02] - Joy in the Christmas Story
- [05:05] - The Angel's Proclamation
- [05:27] - The Joy of the Magi
- [06:25] - The Magi's Worship
- [06:50] - Making Merry
- [07:09] - Singing and Joy
- [08:09] - Practical Ways to Make Merry
- [09:01] - Giving and Receiving
- [09:52] - Joy to the World
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Joy and Merrymaking
Bible Reading:
1. Luke 2:10-11 - "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.'"
2. Matthew 2:10-11 - "When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh."
Observation Questions:
1. What is the difference between the emotional state of happiness and the action of merrymaking as described in the sermon? [00:55]
2. How did the Magi respond when they found Jesus, and what does this tell us about their understanding of joy? [05:27]
3. According to the sermon, how does the Christmas season traditionally encourage merrymaking? [01:07]
4. What role does singing play in experiencing and expressing joy, according to the sermon? [07:09]
Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might the angel's proclamation of "good news of great joy" be particularly significant in a year filled with pain, like 2020? [00:34]
2. How does the story of Scrooge and Bob Cratchit illustrate the transformative power of merrymaking? [01:35]
3. In what ways does the joy of the Magi challenge our understanding of who is included in the story of Jesus' birth? [05:51]
4. How can engaging in joy-filled behaviors, even when we don't feel like it, impact our inner state of joy? [07:42]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you chose to make merry despite difficult circumstances. How did that choice affect your outlook and those around you? [06:50]
2. What are some practical ways you can incorporate merrymaking into your daily life, especially during the Christmas season? [08:09]
3. Consider the people in your life who bring you joy. How can you intentionally spend more time with them this season to enhance your joy? [08:35]
4. Identify a specific gift or act of kindness you can offer to someone this week to share the joy of Christmas. How might this act impact both you and the recipient? [09:01]
5. Think about a tradition or activity that brings you joy during the holidays. How can you make it a more intentional part of your celebration this year? [03:00]
6. How can you use music to uplift your spirit and the spirits of those around you during this season? [07:09]
7. What is one way you can remind yourself of the "good news of great joy" daily, even beyond the Christmas season? [00:34]
Devotional
Day 1: Joy Beyond Circumstances
In a year marked by pain and uncertainty, the message of Christmas offers a profound joy that transcends our circumstances. This joy is not merely an emotion but a state of being that we are invited to embrace. It is rooted in the good news of Jesus' birth, a message that remains true and powerful regardless of the challenges we face. Embracing this joy means recognizing that it is available to us at all times, inviting us to live with hope and gratitude. [00:34]
"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation." (Habakkuk 3:17-18, ESV)
Reflection: In what specific area of your life do you need to choose joy despite difficult circumstances? How can you actively embrace this joy today?
Day 2: The Power of Merriment
The distinction between happiness and merriment is significant. While happiness is an emotional state, merriment involves action and celebration. Christmas invites us to make merry, to engage in joyful activities that transform our hearts and lives. This active participation in joy is a powerful response to the gift of Jesus. By choosing to make merry, we open ourselves to transformation and generosity, much like the story of Scrooge and Bob Cratchit. [00:55]
"And David danced before the Lord with all his might. And David was wearing a linen ephod. So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouting and with the sound of the horn." (2 Samuel 6:14-15, ESV)
Reflection: What is one joyful activity you can engage in today to celebrate the gift of Jesus? How might this act of merriment transform your heart?
Day 3: Joy for All People
The story of the Magi reminds us that joy is available to all, regardless of our background or circumstances. These wise men, despite being outsiders, experienced "exceedingly great joy" upon finding Jesus. Their joy was a response to the divine invitation to worship and give. This narrative encourages us to recognize that joy is not limited to a select few but is a gift offered to everyone. [05:51]
"And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant—these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples." (Isaiah 56:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: How can you extend the joy of Jesus to someone who might feel like an outsider today? What practical steps can you take to share this joy with them?
Day 4: Making Merry as a Spiritual Practice
We are called to make merry, to engage in joy-filled behaviors that reflect and enhance our inner joy. This involves singing, giving, and celebrating, even when we don't feel like it. Joy is a choice we make, a response to the good news of Jesus' birth. By intentionally practicing merriment, we align our actions with the joy that is available to us through Christ. [07:42]
"Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise." (James 5:13, ESV)
Reflection: What is one way you can practice making merry today, even if you don't feel like it? How can this practice help you align with the joy of Christ?
Day 5: Practical Ways to Make Merry
Today, make merry by wearing something that brings you joy, eating food you love, listening to uplifting music, and being with people who bring you happiness. Give gifts, play games, and don't take life too seriously. Joy to the world, the Lord has come! Let us open our treasures and share this joy with others. By engaging in these practical acts of merriment, we embody the joy of the Christmas season and share it with those around us. [08:09]
"Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do. Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head." (Ecclesiastes 9:7-8, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific action you can take today to make merry and share joy with others? How can this action reflect the joy of Christ in your life?
Quotes
The angel said I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all people so merry Christmas and I want to start there you ever wonder why we say merry Christmas everything else is happy happy birthday happy Halloween happy new years why do we say merry Christmas. [00:34:23]
Those two words happy and merry although they overlap have a little different connotation happy has to do with an emotional condition we feel happy mary has a little more of a behavioral dimension to it we make mary and Christmas was a season for people to make mary often in quite a raucous way feasting and dancing and games and eulogs and singing and so on. [00:49:36]
In the Christmas carol at the end of it when Scrooge has seen the light Bob Cratchit comes into the office and he's late and Scrooge was hoping to catch him at this and asked him what's going on and Bob Cratchit says I was making rather merry yesterday and screw says well I won't stand for it anymore therefore therefore I'm going to raise your salary. [01:35:20]
For many many eras of the church the Christmas season has been a time of great celebration of great merry making because we live in a world that's so radically unsuited to joy as you all know the advent season begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and we remember what happened in Bethlehem and we look forward to what will happen when he comes again and we welcome him into our hearts. [02:28:48]
The story of the coming of Jesus is filled with joy I was looking getting ready for today at all the mentions of joy in this story and from the beginning when the angel comes to old Zechariah and tells him he's going to be the father of a son and he says this son will be a joy and delight to you that's a little bonus to Zechariah it didn't have to be the case and many people will rejoice in him. [03:52:08]
When Mary comes to visit we're told that little fetal John the Baptist leaps for joy in his mother's womb that's how much joy Jesus brings and Mary in this unforgettable song cries out my soul magnifies the lord and my spirit rejoices in God my savior and then when an angel comes to shepherds in the field and they're afraid the angel says don't be afraid for I bring you good news of great joy that shall be to all the people. [04:35:44]
When they see the star we're told in Matthew chapter 2 verse 10 they rejoice not just they feel happy that they celebrate they make merry and it doesn't stop that they rejoice with joy what else are you going to rejoice with they don't only do it they feel it not just with joy with great joy like not just a little bit and not just with great joy with exceedingly great joy this is an aberrant amount of joy. [05:27:08]
The magi come and they're overjoyed and and when they see the child they bow down that means not just they bend the knee they fall on their face they're doing something with their bodies and they worship him and they open up their treasure and they give him their gifts so now your word for today is you don't wait to feel happy you make merry merry Christmas you rejoice. [06:27:44]
When you're praying when you're having devotions with God you should always start by singing and I know that's going to sound strange in that day of course there were no iPods no digitized music if you were going to be around music you had to make it and part of what he talks about here goes way beyond singing it's recognizing as he puts it that God has created our soul and our bodies in a unique way to impact each other. [06:57:36]
When we have a spirit of joy it tends to be reflected in our behavior but also when we engage in joy-filled behavior it impacts our spirit and so we are called to make mary to open ourselves up to the joy that God brings to us in Jesus he says sometimes people say but I don't have a good voice so I should be excused from singing he says well some people are not very good at practicing reason but nobody asked to be excused from rationality because of that. [07:34:40]
Today make merry wear things that you love to wear today this shirt used to belong to my dad doesn't fit all that great but it makes me happy to work because I think of the one who wore it before me eat food today that you love to wear do you not love the fruit of Christmas listen to music today that you love to listen to I love Christmas music be with people today that you love to be with and whoever you're with look them in the eye and seek to bring joy to them. [08:15:28]
Play games decorate don't take yourself and your life and your little agenda so seriously joy to the world the lord has come and give gifts open up your treasures came home from the store this week and I've been going through lots of paper for the series writing stuff down and all I could get was some white paper that I didn't like I love yellow legal pads and the next day when I came home my wife had gone out and bought two yellow legal pads for me just made me happy just a little gift. [08:47:52]
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