I wonder, do you love this Christmas hymn as much as I do? Interesting, right on the heals of these words are, “Let earth receive her king;”
Joy is connected to receiving!
Did you miss Echoes first Advent post, Receive is a Christmas Word? You might want to go back and read it.
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Luke starts the familiar Christmas narrative with the angel Gabriel visiting Zechariah followed quickly by Gabriel visiting Mary. Their stories are similar and also different.
Luke 1:12 – Zechariah was troubled; Luke 1:29 – Mary was greatly troubled.
Luke 1:13 – to Zechariah, “do not be afraid”; Luke 1:30 – to Mary, “do not be afraid”.
Luke 1:13 – to Zechariah, “your prayer has been heard”; Luke 1:30 – to Mary, “you have found favor with God.”
Luke 1:18 – Zechariah had a question; Luke 1:34 – Mary had a similar question.
As Gabriel responds to both, their stories go down different roads highlighting the good news in different ways. Focusing just on Mary …
She is affirmed by Gabriel.
She has a question that shows she believes Gabriel, How …?
She responds with submission, “let it be to me” (verse 38).
The next thing Luke records is Mary’s visit to Elizabeth. Mary, a teenager runs to Elizabeth, Zechariah’s pregnant wife who is advanced in years. And again Mary is affirmed: “Blessed are you among women”; “Blessed is the fruit of your womb” (verse 42). “When the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.” (verse 44). “Blessed is she who believed” (verse 45). Mary’s belief resulted from receiving the truth that Gabriel shared.
Joy – Elizabeth’s baby John, experienced it before his birth. Elizabeth recognized the joy. And Mary now also responds with joy. “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices (the verb form of joy) in God my Savior, (verse 47).
Joy is at the very inception of the Christmas story. Later on when the angel is communicating with the shepherds, he calls it “good news of great joy” (Luke 2:10).
What is joy? Definitions are descriptions of the way we use words. The definition of joy in many dictionaries includes something like the emotion of delight.
The word joy is used 155 times in the New Testament alone. And yet as I think about the New Testament narrative often the realities shared and the word joy don’t line up; they don’t evoke the emotion of delight.
Despite the great joy of Jesus’ birth, it is followed by the fear of Herod causing the slaughter of all the baby boys under two years old. (Matthew 2:16)
John, the baby who knew joy before his birth, was later executed.
Jesus, whose birth ushers in “good news of great joy” was headed for a cross.
Although not joy-filled instances, they also do not negate joy!
Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22) God produces joy. Joy is a relationship word.
Joy results from knowing Jesus and knowing our identity as children of God.
John’s testimony (the son of Zechariah and Elizabeth) in John 3:28 and 29 is an illustration. “I am not the Christ,” John knows who he is not. “The friend (John knows who he is) of the bridegroom (Jesus)” “rejoices greatly”. “Therefore this joy of mine is now complete.”
The author of Hebrews speaks of Jesus and says, “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2.
Because of the joy … Could that be spending eternity with us (relationship)? … Jesus endured and put up with the shame. His joy was not related to his circumstances as he hung on the cross.
Joy is like an undercurrent produced by the Holy Spirit
flowing beneath the surface of our lives bringing its truth to reality.
As my friend Janet says, there is great hope.
artwork by Ruth Chou Simons
The amazing story behind the O Holy Night, the wonderful Christmas hymn understands this truth as well. “The thrill of hope the weary world rejoices …”.
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A scripture to meditate on: Nehemiah 8:10 – “… for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
A question to ask: In the midst of your right now, how can you experience joy?
A prayer to pray: Father thank you that the joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Please help me to trust that today. Amen.
Sue, I love this idea of writing on the words of Christmas. One of the women I am friends with here is writing from her lessons learned and life and put a study together on Joy. I had a lot of fun thinking with her and giving feedback. I would like to forward this to her.
Also love the idea of the small note of “Important Stuff”. Could you put one in the mail to me?
Sharon Turner, 1033 74th Street NE, Cedar rapids, IA 52402.
I do enjoy reading and reflecting on your Blog. Moving to Central Iowa has at times meant little fellowship with deeper life issues. God is at work, but blogs help. Thanks.
Hi Sharon –
Yes, please do forward this. Perhaps your friend would also like to receive my weekly note for those who follow Echoes.
Almost every time I open my Bible I see another reference to joy. And each time I think, yes, joy is an undercurrent. Like the familiar words in James 1, “Count it all joy … when you meet trials …”
You know, I think when God allows deeper life issues to surface, He is trusting us! We’re at that point and ready to grow.
I’m so glad Echoes encourages you. The “Important Stuff” mini journal is in the mail. 🙂
love, sue
I could not wait to read your joy post. I told my pastor recently that for Christmas this year I want joy. I don’t want to just endure the holidays (like I normally do). I want to see Christmas through a new set of eyes. That’s my prayer even in the middle of a desert time with God. I just read in my devotions the other day in Luke where God is searching for the lost sheep. When he finds it he JOYFULLY puts it on his shoulders. That word is what got me. He isn’t rolling His eyes and saying “well, I guess I better go find her”. It’s not drudgery to Him. It’s love.
I struggle with seeing God as my father because of the baggage I had with my earthly father. My pastor reminded me that I am God’s baby girl. Talk about the ultimate father/daughter relationship! The first few times he referred to me as His baby girl it brought me to tears. Now I am getting to where I use that as my tag line in several of my e-mails to him. It’s getting a little easier to appreciate that intimacy in our relationship.
I love reading your posts. They are so encouraging!
Hi Becky,
And your story is so very encouraging.
Two things stood out to me in your words …
1. Your new understanding of our Father/daughter relationship. For me that was key too. When I began to trust that my relationship with God was not based on my ministry performance (which I felt I was failing miserably at) but on the fact that I am His beloved child. That changed everything!!! And it continues to evolve. That’s the long story short. Perhaps God will give us an opportunity to share the long story long some time.
2. The shepherd JOYFULLY rescues the sheep. He JOYFULLY fulfills the purpose God created him for. What a wonderful observation. Thank you for sharing it with me. I looked up the passage to and love the conclusion in The Message translation … “Count on it – there’s more joy in heaven over one sinner’s rescued life than over ninety-nine good people in no need of rescue.” Luke 15:10. The JOY is in the relationship that under-girds the responsibilities.
May the JOY of Christmas permeate your life this year.
Blessings,
sue