Luke 2:10–11, John 15:9–11

“Joy is not merely a feeling. It’s not that elation, that sort of bubbly feeling of happiness that you get when things are going wonderfully well. Joy has the strength of conviction, a settled confidence in the character of God.” – Elisabeth Elliott

The Lord our God is our only source of true lasting Joy.

Each holiday season, around this time of year, things start to change. Leaves shift from green to autumn colors and then fall to the ground, bright lights go up around the neighborhood, year-end priorities press on us, and temperatures start to drop—then go back up and down again if you live in Texas : ). Holiday planning begins to swirl: Where will we have Thanksgiving? Christmas? Travel or not travel? Extended family coordination rekindles loving thoughts for some and difficult memories for others.

And then we start hearing those traditional Christmas songs everywhere, like “Joy to the World.” As a Christian, this song tends to challenge me. Do I exhibit “joy to the world”? And if not—which is sometimes the case—why not? More times than I’d like to admit, it’s because I’m looking for joy to come from the world, from my circumstances, from my efforts, or from the actions and behaviors of others.

The reality is this: God sent “Joy to the World” in the form of our Savior, Christ Jesus. I will never find lasting joy from the world. But God, in His lovingkindness, provides everlasting joy to the world through the gospel. Clear and simple: Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead!

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” – James 1:2-4

I don’t know about you, but I typically do not consider it an opportunity for “great joy” when troubles of any kind come my way. This Christmas season, let’s ask the Lord to fill us anew with the joy of His Holy Spirit—His presence in us—so that we can share with others the source of our true joy, which is available to us regardless of our circumstances in life: the blessed assurance of our eternal security in the presence of God through Christ Jesus (John 5:24).

When the hectic pace of the holiday season hits us and our faith is tested, let’s ask the Lord to help us “count it all joy,” as He gives us opportunities to develop and demonstrate endurance in trusting Him as our source of joy.

Merriam-Webster defines endurance as “the ability to withstand hardship or adversity.” When we look to Jesus, the Light of the World, to fill us with joy despite our circumstances, our lives shine brightest for Him and give us the opportunity to show the world where the true source of lasting joy comes from—Christ alone.

Merry Christmas! Joy to the World, the Lord has come!