Everlasting Joy: The True Spirit of Christmas
Summary
Christmas is a time that presents joy in our lives, a joy that is deeply rooted in the birth of Jesus Christ. This joy is not just a fleeting emotion but a profound, everlasting joy that is promised throughout the scriptures. In Luke 2, we see the shepherds' initial fear transformed into joy upon hearing the angel's announcement of the Savior's birth. This joy is a fulfillment of the promises made in the Old Testament, such as in Isaiah 51, where those ransomed by the Lord are crowned with everlasting joy. This joy is not only for us but is meant to be shared with others, as seen in the shepherds' eagerness to spread the good news.
The joy that Christmas brings is a supernatural joy, distinct from mere happiness. While happiness is dependent on circumstances, joy has staying power and endures through trials and tribulations. This joy is a product of certain hope, a hope that is unwavering and built on the faithfulness of God. The Apostle Paul exemplifies this joy in his writings, particularly in 2 Corinthians and Philippians, where he speaks of joy even amidst suffering and imprisonment. His life demonstrates that joy is not the absence of hardship but the presence of God’s enduring promise.
As we celebrate Christmas, it serves as a rhythm of remembrance, a time to reflect on God's faithfulness and the joy that comes from knowing Him. This rhythm is crucial because we are prone to forget the works of God. Establishing personal rhythms of remembrance, such as prayer journaling or reflecting on God's work in our lives, helps us to continually experience and share this joy. Christmas is not just a historical event but an ongoing invitation to live in the joy of the Lord, a joy that reshapes us and compels us to share it with the world.
Key Takeaways:
1. Joy as a Fulfillment of Promise: The joy of Christmas is rooted in the fulfillment of God's promises, as seen in the birth of Jesus. This joy is everlasting and is a testament to God's faithfulness throughout history. It is a joy that transcends circumstances and is meant to be shared with others. [19:29]
2. Supernatural Joy vs. Happiness: Unlike happiness, which is circumstantial, the joy from God is supernatural and enduring. It is a joy that persists through trials and is a product of certain hope in God's promises. This joy is a gift that sustains us through life's challenges. [30:09]
3. Paul's Example of Joy: The Apostle Paul exemplifies joy amidst suffering, showing that joy is not the absence of hardship but the presence of God's promise. His writings encourage us to find joy in our faith, even in difficult circumstances, as a testament to God's enduring presence. [35:20]
4. Rhythms of Remembrance: Establishing rhythms of remembrance, such as prayer journaling or reflecting on God's work, helps us to continually experience and share the joy of the Lord. These practices remind us of God's faithfulness and the joy that comes from knowing Him. [43:04]
5. Sharing the Joy of the Lord: The natural response to experiencing God's joy is to share it with others. This joy is not just for us but is meant to be a light to the world, spreading the good news of Jesus and the hope and joy that He brings. [46:11]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[19:29] - The Shepherds' Encounter
[21:54] - Joy in the Old Testament
[23:02] - Joy's Impact on Others
[24:08] - The Shepherds' Response
[25:05] - Sharing Joy
[26:15] - Natural Response to Joy
[27:14] - Joy in Everyday Life
[28:02] - Supernatural Joy
[29:23] - Joy vs. Happiness
[30:09] - Biblical Joy
[30:58] - Joy Through Trials
[31:59] - Paul's Joyful Endurance
[33:37] - Paul's Suffering and Joy
[35:20] - Joy in Philippians
[36:24] - Rejoice Always
[37:50] - Reminders of Joy
[38:43] - Christmas as Remembrance
[40:39] - Rhythms of Remembrance
[43:04] - Practical Remembrance Practices
[46:11] - Sharing the Joy of the Lord
[47:22] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Joy of Christmas
Bible Reading:
1. Luke 2:8-17
2. Isaiah 51:11
3. Philippians 1:25
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Observation Questions:
1. In Luke 2:8-17, how did the shepherds initially react to the angel's announcement, and what changed their response? [19:29]
2. According to Isaiah 51:11, what is promised to those who have been ransomed by the Lord, and how is this related to the joy of Christmas? [21:54]
3. How does the Apostle Paul describe his experience of joy in Philippians 1:25, despite his difficult circumstances? [35:20]
4. What actions did the shepherds take after witnessing the birth of Jesus, and what does this reveal about the nature of joy? [25:05]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the transformation of the shepherds' fear into joy in Luke 2 illustrate the impact of divine encounters on human emotions? [19:29]
2. In what ways does Isaiah 51:11's promise of everlasting joy reflect the fulfillment of God's promises through Jesus' birth? [21:54]
3. How does Paul's expression of joy in Philippians 1:25 challenge the common understanding of joy being dependent on circumstances? [35:20]
4. What does the eagerness of the shepherds to share the news of Jesus' birth suggest about the contagious nature of true joy? [25:05]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced joy despite challenging circumstances. How did your faith play a role in that experience? [30:09]
2. The sermon mentioned establishing rhythms of remembrance, such as prayer journaling. What is one practical step you can take this week to create a rhythm of remembrance in your life? [43:04]
3. Consider the difference between happiness and supernatural joy. How can you cultivate a deeper sense of joy that is not dependent on external circumstances? [28:02]
4. The shepherds shared the good news of Jesus' birth with others. Who in your life could benefit from hearing about the joy you have found in Christ, and how can you share it with them this week? [25:05]
5. Paul found joy in helping others grow in their faith. How can you support someone in your community to experience the joy of faith more fully? [35:20]
6. The sermon highlighted the importance of remembering God's faithfulness. What is one way you can remind yourself of God's past faithfulness in your life during this Christmas season? [40:39]
7. How can you intentionally spread the joy of Christmas to those around you, especially those who may be struggling during this season? [46:11]
Devotional
Day 1: Joy as Fulfillment of God's Promises
The joy of Christmas is deeply rooted in the fulfillment of God's promises, as evidenced by the birth of Jesus Christ. This joy is not a temporary feeling but an everlasting one, as it is a testament to God's faithfulness throughout history. The shepherds' encounter with the angels in Luke 2 exemplifies this transformation from fear to joy, as they receive the good news of the Savior's birth. This joy is meant to be shared with others, spreading the light and hope of Christ to the world. As believers, we are called to embrace this joy and let it shine through our lives, impacting those around us. [19:29]
Isaiah 51:11 (ESV): "And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away."
Reflection: Think of a promise from God that you have seen fulfilled in your life. How can you share the joy of this fulfillment with someone else today?
Day 2: Supernatural Joy vs. Happiness
The joy that comes from God is distinct from mere happiness, as it is supernatural and enduring. While happiness is often dependent on external circumstances, the joy of the Lord persists through trials and tribulations. This joy is a product of certain hope, grounded in the unwavering faithfulness of God. It is a gift that sustains us through life's challenges, providing strength and comfort even in difficult times. As we navigate our daily lives, we are encouraged to seek this supernatural joy, allowing it to transform our perspective and guide our actions. [30:09]
Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV): "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."
Reflection: Identify a current challenge or trial in your life. How can you choose to experience God's supernatural joy in the midst of this situation?
Day 3: Paul's Example of Joy
The Apostle Paul serves as a powerful example of experiencing joy amidst suffering. His writings, particularly in 2 Corinthians and Philippians, reveal that joy is not the absence of hardship but the presence of God's enduring promise. Despite facing imprisonment and persecution, Paul consistently found joy in his faith, demonstrating that true joy is rooted in a deep relationship with God. As believers, we are encouraged to follow Paul's example, finding joy in our faith even in the face of adversity, as a testament to God's enduring presence in our lives. [35:20]
2 Corinthians 6:10 (ESV): "As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced joy despite difficult circumstances. How can Paul's example inspire you to find joy in your current situation?
Day 4: Rhythms of Remembrance
Establishing rhythms of remembrance is crucial for continually experiencing and sharing the joy of the Lord. Practices such as prayer journaling or reflecting on God's work in our lives help us to remember His faithfulness and the joy that comes from knowing Him. These rhythms serve as reminders of God's presence and promises, allowing us to remain grounded in His joy even when we are prone to forget. As we celebrate Christmas, we are invited to create personal rhythms of remembrance that keep us connected to the joy of the Lord throughout the year. [43:04]
Deuteronomy 6:12 (ESV): "Then take care lest you forget the Lord, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery."
Reflection: What is one practical way you can establish a rhythm of remembrance in your life? How might this practice help you experience and share God's joy more fully?
Day 5: Sharing the Joy of the Lord
The natural response to experiencing God's joy is to share it with others. This joy is not meant to be kept to ourselves but is intended to be a light to the world, spreading the good news of Jesus and the hope and joy that He brings. As we embrace the joy of the Lord, we are compelled to share it with those around us, impacting our communities and beyond. This Christmas season, let us be intentional in sharing the joy of the Lord, allowing it to transform lives and bring hope to a world in need. [46:11]
Matthew 5:16 (ESV): "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience the joy of the Lord? How can you intentionally share this joy with them today?
Quotes
But the angel reassured them, don't be afraid. He said, I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior, yes, the Messiah, the Lord has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David. So these angels show up. First, it's just one. Later, it's a host, right? But this angel shows up and says, hey, first of all, you don't have to be afraid. [00:19:29] (30 seconds)
This joy that is talked about is something that is promised throughout the Old Testament. We read about these promises of the Messiah over and over again, and often that they are accompanied by these immeasurables. Images of the nation of Israel being restored. And so I want to look at one of those in Isaiah. This is 700 years before the birth of Jesus, and this is written in Isaiah 51. So those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy. [00:20:34] (41 seconds)
They will experience this everlasting joy. That is a promise to us, that because of what Jesus has done, we can have this everlasting joy. This everlasting joy, that we will be crowned with joy. And I don't know about you, but I look at our world, and I feel like our world could use more joy. That is, I look around at all of the brokenness and the hurt, and I drive on our roads, right? And I go through life, I just look at our world and recognize, man, we need joy. [00:21:38] (39 seconds)
And God does some incredible work through the joy that he provides in our lives, through the joy that he brings to our world. And this joy, it impacts our lives in so many ways, but it also impacts the lives of the people around us. And we read this in Psalm 126. When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream. We were filled with laughter. We sang for joy, and the other nations said, what amazing things the Lord has done for them. [00:22:39] (38 seconds)
They are filled with joy in such a way that as people from other nations encounter them, they're like, man, those guys, right? There's something different about them. They have joy in their lives. And the joy of God is something that spreads. It is something that other people notice what the Lord has done. [00:23:37] (24 seconds)
They want to share it as much as they can. And here's the thing, both to the joy that we experience from God, as well as happiness and earthly joy, right? The natural response to joy is to share it. Like, that's a very normal response. That is how God wired us up, right? When we experience something that brings us joy, we want to share that with other people. [00:25:36] (30 seconds)
But we want to share that. That is a very natural response to normal earthly happiness and joy and what we experience from God, the joy of the Lord. This joy that we have experienced because we have received the gospel, this good news for all people, it's so much greater. It's so much greater. In fact, I would say that the joy we receive from God, it's not natural. [00:28:13] (30 seconds)
This is a supernatural joy that we get to experience in our lives because of Him. Because of His goodness and His faithfulness, we have this joy. It goes so far beyond happiness. It's not just happiness. It is joy. Happiness is great, right? I love this quote from Levi Lesko. I've shared it before. I will probably share it again someday, right? Happiness is determined by what is happening. [00:28:42] (29 seconds)
Happiness is great, but it's limited. Joy has staying power. Joy endures. Joy is a little tougher, right? But it is not knocked down the first time we have a bad day. This joy that we experience from the Lord, it is a supernatural gift. And I think in our English language, we miss that sometimes. You guys know that in the dictionary, the word happiness and the word joy, they both use each other to define themselves, right? Like, what's joy? It's happiness. What's happiness? It's joy. [00:29:31] (38 seconds)
And we're missing it because biblically, joy is different. The word joy is different. It's different. It's different. It's different. It's different. It's different. The word happiness or happy would appear in scripture like 19 times total through the whole Bible. Joy or joyful, that shows up around 100 and not around, 197 times, specifically that number. 197 times this idea of joy is presented to us. And that doesn't mean that we don't experience difficult times. It doesn't mean that life never gets hard for us. Joy, it has staying power through that. [00:30:15] (40 seconds)
We talked about this kind of hope last week, right, that is bigger than just wishful hope or expected hope. It is certain hope. It is hope that is built on something that we can be absolutely certain of, that we have total faith of who our God is and what he has done and what he will do. And because of that, we are filled with hope and we are certain in it. And this joy, it's the product of that certain hope. [00:31:27] (27 seconds)
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