Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee

“Like a drama unfolding, the curtain was opening; / an audience of angels was holding its breath; / a census, a manger, two travel worn strangers; / the stage was finally set; / Angels folded their wings at the throne, worshiping; / As God whispered, I love you, my Son; / Jesus took off His crown and laying it down; / Said, Father, Thy will be done; /


/ The time had now come for God's only Son; / To be born as a light in a dark, lonely place; / So He stepped from Heaven's hall to Bethlehem's stall; / where a star lit His newborn face; / then God called to Gabriel with gladness and tears; / Play the trumpet, the horns, and the strings; / tell the shepherds, and the wise men and all who will hear; / Command all the angels to sing; / Fill the sky with your voices and sing! / 

/ Joy, joy to the world, praise to the King; / Oh, let it ring; Joy, joy to the world; / worship and sing; / Jesus has come to bring….joy.” 

These words from David Phelps’ song “Joy, Joy” ring true, and I listen to him sing this song every Christmas season. What caused multitudes of angels to sing for joy? It was the birth of the Messiah, who “stepped from Heaven’s hall to Bethlehem’s stall.”

Noah Webster, in his 1828 Dictionary, defined joy (noun) as follows: “The passion or emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good; that excitement of pleasurable feelings which is caused by success, good fortune, the gratification of desire or some good possessed, or by a rational prospect of possessing what we love or desire; gladness; exultation; exhilaration of spirits.” 

When Jesus saved me, joy washed over me. My spirit was exhilarated, and I was grateful. When Jesus propitiated my sins with His satisfying sacrifice, I was eternally grateful and joyful for three primary reasons: 

Jesus took on my sins and sorrows and made them His very own (Isaiah 53:4).
This sacrifice, which cost Jesus His life, appeased God’s wrath (Romans 3:24-26).
Jesus reconciled me to Himself, and in doing so (through the process of imputation) gave me His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). 

Christians should be the most joyful people on planet Earth. But sometimes we seek happiness instead. According to the Stewardology Podcast, there are some major differences between happiness and joy, including: 

• Joy is of the soul. Happiness is of the moment.
• Joy transcends. Happiness reacts to circumstances.
• Joy embraces peace and contentment. 
• Joy runs deep and overflows. Happiness is often short-lived and temporary. 
• Joy is a practice and a behavior. It’s deliberate and intentional. Happiness comes and goes along the way.
• Joy is profound and Scriptural. Believers do not worry because God is in 
 control, so they rejoice. Happiness is a balm, so people say, "Don't worry, be 
 happy."
• Joy is an inner feeling and a soulful emotion. Happiness is an outward expression.
• Joy endures hardship and trials and connects with meaning and purpose.
• A person pursues happiness, but they choose joy.

Additionally, Got Questions Ministries says: “Depending on the translation, the Bible uses the words ‘happy’ and ‘happiness’ about 30 times, while ‘joy’ and ‘rejoice’ appear over 300 times. Joy gets ten times more of the focus than happiness in God’s Word!” 

The Apostle Paul was joyful when he summarized Jesus’ willingness to step down from Heaven to Bethlehem for fallen humanity. In Philippians 2:6-8, he describes Jesus saying, “...though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” 

This is joyful news to Christians. This is joyful news to sinners in need of a Savior.  
Further, Paul listed “joy” as a fruit of the Spirit. It is high on the list, second only behind love (Galatians 5:22 – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control). 

Jesus gave us this gem in Scripture as well, which removes all doubt about joy. He said, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full (John 15:11). 

So, when two expectant mothers get together (Elizabeth with John and Mary with Jesus) who wouldn’t be joyful? Both women were anxiously anticipating the birth of their child. No doubt that both expectant mothers had the “glow” that mothers get when pregnant. Their joy was supernatural. It was overflowing and far exceeded temporary happiness. Both women knew that God had shown them favor, and they were grateful. 

Elizabeth (who was filled with the Spirit, vs. 41), must have received a revelation from God because once Mary walked into the room, Elizabeth “jumped for joy” and announced without prior communication that the baby in Mary’s womb was “the Lord.” A fetus “jumps for joy” as well. John (in Mary’s stomach) leapt for joy. And that’s not all! Mary is also full of joy and in return, her praise to God comes from deep inside her. Her joy has affected her soul. She is moved to her core. Her soul exalts the Lord (NASB); it glorifies the Lord (NIV); it magnifies the Lord (KJV and ESV). This is no small act of worship. Mary is laying her life down to the faithful God who is executing His plan, and she is grateful and thankful for His favor. Mary’s cup runneth over with joy (Psalm 23:5). 

Should we be any different? The answer to that question is a resounding….no! Today, God is still seeking humble servants to live a life of faith and joyfully tell others what God did for them. The mighty God we serve deserves our best.

The often temporary happiness and satisfaction the world offers us is hollow, but the joy of the Lord is rich and abundant. It is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). The world’s happiness will fade with time, but God’s people will be eternally joyful in Heaven. “Those the LORD has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away” (Isaiah 35:10). 

Joy in God or “happiness” in the world: 
 Which will you choose this Christmas season?