“…for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” (Neh 8:10)

In my first blog post this month, I discussed hope. Like hope, joy can also be difficult to find during the Christmas season. Perhaps our lives haven’t turned out the way we thought they would. Maybe we’ve lost someone close to us or been rejected by someone. In Western culture, we equate joy with happiness, but these are two different things. Both are emotions, but happiness is determined by our circumstances. Joy goes much deeper and is one of the fruits of the spirit (Gal 5:22). The Greek word for joy is chara and is closely related to charis, or grace. Joy is the natural response to the work of God in our lives.

According to John 15:11, Jesus is the source of true joy. He said, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” When we are one with him, he gives us his joy. As followers of Christ, we have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. It brings us a joy that is steadfast and does not come and go with our circumstances.

Just because we have joy does not mean we won’t have sorrow or trouble. Living in this world guarantees that we’ll face problems: health issues, relationship problems, or persecution for our faith, just to name a few. By remaining in Christ, we can have joy in spite of these troubles: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (Jn 15:5). As the branches, we are attached to Jesus and completely dependent on him.

The very birth of Christ brought joy to the world: “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’” (Lk 2:10-11). Through Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection, we can look toward the joy of spending eternity with him.

Being joyful is a choice we make. We don’t always feel joyful, but we know we have joy because true joy is found in the presence of God. When we learn to abide in his presence and allow him access to every part of our life, we will find true joy in him and him alone.

Dear Jesus, thank you for true joy that is found in your presence. Help us to seek you at Christmas and throughout the year and find the joy that you have promised. Amen.