It is that time of year when everyone rushes around trying to find that one perfect gift.  Stress level is on the rise, blood pressure is high as we search the internet and the nearest mall for those items that will bring joy to those who unwrap the neatly taped packages on Christmas morning.

But I want to talk about one of the best gifts we can give at Christmas.  It isn’t something that you can purchase.  It is the gift of JOY.   The gift of true JOY can only be acquired through Jesus.  Jesus is JOY!

The JOY of Christmas is possible only when a sinful world acknowledges its sinfulness and expectantly awaits him who comes to heal and save.

Pure Joy is difficult for some to understand.   Some can’t figure out how in the midst of circumstances that seem tough, challenging and life-changing they would be able to unwrap JOY and put it on.  But remember JOY is not the same as happy.  Happy will wax and wane it is fleeting, JOY is everlasting.    Happy is built upon emotions JOY is from Christ. True JOY is not pretending that everything is fine but in understanding that while our world may be crumbling down, we can still have hope and trust in Christ.

Joy can be difficult for many this time of year.  It is the season that many have lost the true reason and their reason has turned materialistic.  Social media publicizes all the buying and spending and how wonderful life will be if we purchase the best of the best.  The truth is no material things can compensate for lack of joy.  The source of pleasure is not in what we have but who we have lived within us.

During the Advent season, we light the advent candles within the advent wreath.  We have discussed HOPE, PEACE and now the third candle JOY.

The candle that represents JOY is pink, unlike the other candles.  Pink symbolizes JOY, and the pink candle is lit on Gaudete (Latin word meaning rejoice) Sunday (time for rejoicing the Lord).  Advent is patterned after lent.  The third Sunday is the midway point.  The pink symbolizes the expectation of the coming joy of Christmas coming at Christmas and at Easter.  Years ago, the Pope would honor a citizen with a pink rose as a reminder of the coming joy.

A little look on the biblical side.  Joy is in the bible some say 155 times with 88 times in the Old Testament and 57 in the new testament.  There are 15 different Hebrew words and 8 Greek words that describe joy.

In the old testament, Joy is expressed by metaphors and through human experiences.  In the New testament Joy, of course, is in the midst of Jesus birth however it takes a turn in the book of acts and is placed in situations that cause many to have trials in life.  When we think about it, those who suffered in the new testament also had great Joy.  Jesus and Paul being two examples.  It is then through Paul’s teachings that Joy is listed as a Fruit of the Spirit.  We then understand that Joy can’t be bought it is only acquired through Christ.

Christian joy is tied to challenges that are why gratefulness is also a piece of the unwrapping of Joy.  When you can find gratefulness in the middle of suffering is when joy is also found. It is then that through Jesus we know that He holds our future and a time of joy.

Unwrap JOY through scripture:

LUKE 2:8-11

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 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!

GREAT JOY TO ALL PEOPLE- God sent the angel to tell them that the Savior was being born to save all of us.  ALL of us. To bring great JOY to all people.

We are all capable of having JOY.  It is a choice that we make.  When we choose to be rooted in God’s gifts to us is when JOY is infused within our hearts. It is then when we can be grateful. Being grateful enables us to see the small glimpses of light within the darkness.

JOHN 15:9-11

I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!

Remain in Christ.  It is then that we will be filled with JOY, not just joy but OVERFLOWING with JOY.

COLOSSIANS 1:11-12

We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power, so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.

When in the midst of circumstances that are trying remember that Christ strengthens you and fills you with JOY. Joy in the middle of chaos.

Unwrap the Gift of Joy that God has given us through His Son our Savior Jesus!  Jesus is JOY!

Being joyful isn’t what makes you grateful being grateful is what makes you joyful.

 Ann Voskamp

CHALLENGES OF THE WEEK:

• Keep your daily appointment with Christ

• Stay in the word

• While wrapping remember the reason for the season and unwrap the gift of JOY

• Fill your cup with Christ so that you can fill other cups

Other Reads:

The Season of Biblical JOY

https://www.wordonfire.org/resources/blog/advent-christmas-and-the-season-of-biblical-joy/5665/

The Color of Joy

 http://catholichotdish.com/faith-and-reasons/the-story-behind-the-pink-advent-candle/

Advent Week 3 JOY

https://www.hillcrestbc.com/files/2015/10/2015.10.15-09.34-hillcrestbc-56201bf5aee30.pdf