Joy to the World

Good morning! We are gathered here to worship together, to praise God and to cultivate peace. Isn’t it a joy to partake in such a privilege together? As for me, it’s a joy to be sharing in God’s word, in the presence of God’s spirit. May we be at peace as we celebrate together.

Advent Week 3: Joy/Peace

Joy and Peace were both proclaimed by Christ’s birth as rightful acquisitions for those who claim their inheritance through him. That is, the birth of Jesus is a beacon of hope, the ultimate gift worthy of anticipation, and joy in the ultimate peace that Jesus provides for us.

Let these next few minutes be a time to reflect, and rather than focusing on anything that might prevent you from feeling joy, or feeling at peace, just take a moment to remember being at peace, remaining, as you listen.

God created the world, and out of it, made humans.

God is good. God is our creator, sustainer, and champion. Let us focus on this exhortation to the author’s self, which can be found in Psalm 146, to PRAISE THE LORD!:

Psalm 146 LSB

1 Praise Yah! [hallelujah!]

Praise the Lord, O my soul [throat] נֶ֫פֶשׁ!

2 I will [hallelujah] throughout my life חַי;

I will sing praises זמר to my God in my being.

3 Do not [place your] trust in powerful people,

In merely a human, in whom there is no salvation [deliverance] תְּשׁוּעָה .

4 His spirit [breath] רוּחַ departs, he returns to the earth;

In that very day his plans perish.

5 How אַשְׁרֵי blessed [happy/joyful] is he whose help [assist] עֵ֫זֶר is the God of Jacob,

Whose hope is in the lord his God,

6 Maker of heaven and earth,

The sea and all that is in them;

Forever faithful;

7 Serving justice for the oppressed;

and food to the hungry,

Yahweh sets the prisoners free.

8 Yahweh opens the eyes of the blind;

Yahweh lifts up those who are bent over [heavily burdened];

Yahweh loves the righteous;

9 Yahweh keeps the sojourners;

He helps up the orphan and the widow,

But He bends the way of the wicked.

10 Yahweh will reign forever,

Your God, O Zion from generation to generation.

Praise Yah! [hallelujah!]

Isaiah writes about the joy with which the very land itself, the earth rejoices and praises her creator:

Isaiah 35:1–10 LSB

1 The wilderness and the dry land will be delighted,

And the Arabah [desert] will rejoice and blossom;

Like a wildflower

2 It will blossom profusely

And rejoice with rejoicing and shout of joy.

(Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy! The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon, as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon).

They will see the glory of the lord,

The majesty [splendor] of our God.

3 Strengthen limp hands, and give courage to the knees of the stumbling.

4 Say to those with an anxious heart,

“Be strong, fear not.

Behold, your God will come with vengeance;

The recompense of God will come;

He will save you.”

5 Then the eyes of the blind will be opened,

And the ears of the deaf will be unstopped.

6 Then the lame will leap like a deer,

And the tongue of the mute will shout for joy.

For waters will break forth in the wilderness

And streams in the Arabah [desert].

7 Then the scorched land will become a pool

And the thirsty ground springs of water;

In the haunt of jackals [the dragon’s lair], its resting place,

Grass becomes reeds and rushes.

8 And a roadway will be there, a highway,

And it will be called the Highway of Holiness.

The unclean will not pass by on it,

But it will be for him who walks in that way,

And ignorant fools will not wander on it.

9 No lion will be there,

Nor will any vicious beast go up on it;

These will not be found there.

But the redeemed will walk there,

10 And the ransomed of Yahweh will return

And come with joyful shouting to Zion,

With everlasting gladness upon their heads.

They will attain delight and gladness,

And sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Matthew tells us of the wise, Eastern magicians who recognized this universal joy of cosmic proportions; before even seeing the child, they recognized his star and immediately set out to worship him:

Matthew 2:10–11 CSB

10 When they saw the star, they were overwhelmed with joy. 11 Entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and falling to their knees, they worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

Joyful worship is a natural, and appropriate response to encountering the revelation of our savior, Jesus.

Questions

What is Christian Joy?

Christian joy is a gift from God, rooted in God’s character, not dependent on circumstances or context. Christian joy is abundant and contagious.

What is Christian Peace?

Christian peace involves living harmoniously with others, both within and outside the Christian community, as far as it depends on the individual. It requires being respectful, gentle, quick to forgive, and avoiding bitterness or spite.

Is it acceptable for Christians to have fun, and enjoy life?

Yes! In fact, God invites believers to enjoy life and commands us to celebrate together, while acknowledging that trials and hardships will also come. Having fun is not only acceptable but often a way to experience God’s blessings, build community, and reflect His joy. When enjoyed with gratitude and within healthy boundaries, having fun is a beautiful part of the Christian life!

How do we discern between foolish hedonism and holy pleasure?

Let me ask you a question: can having fun and seeking pleasure ever go wrong or get out of hand?

Of course!

For anyone, a Christian, distinguishing between foolish hedonism and healthy pleasure is an important aspect of living a balanced and meaningful life.

Foolish hedonism focuses on seeking immediate gratification and indulgence in pleasures that often lead to negative consequences or harm, either to oneself or others. It tends to be selfish, ignoring long-term well-being and ethical considerations. This might include activities that go against moral values, cause harm, or become excessive and addictive.

Holy pleasure, on the other hand, aligns with living a life that honors God and others. It’s about finding joy and fulfillment in ways that are uplifting, respectful, and nourishing for the soul. Holy pleasure often comes from activities that promote love, community, personal growth, and spiritual well-being. It involves moderation, gratitude, and a sense of purpose.

More Comments

The concepts of Joy and Peace originate in God, and as God is constant, they are constant, and are not diminished by any circumstances or powers of the world.

But it’s especially during difficult times that we need to cling to joy. After all, what does James say about joy?

James 1:2–3 LSB

2 Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith brings about perseverance.

Ultimately, he can say this because Joy is not a feeling, it is a choice. In fact, and the same is true with love, it’s when we chase feelings that we really end up in trouble.

As Thomas Aquinas puts it:

Man cannot live without joy; therefore when he is deprived of true spiritual joys it is necessary that he become addicted to carnal pleasures.

Thomas Aquinas

In other words, we are naturally inclined to seek joy, and when we do not derive our joy from God, then we make idols out of fleeting, physical pleasures and happiness.

One of my favorite quotes on this topic comes from Oswald Chambers. He says:

Happiness depends on what happens; joy does not.

Oswald Chambers

Dwight L. Moody said something very similar, and he expounds a bit more:

Happiness is caused by things that happen around me, and circumstances will mar it; but joy flows right on through trouble; joy flows on through the day; joy flows in the night as well as in the day; joy flows through persecution and opposition. It is an unceasing fountain bubbling up in the heart; a secret spring the world can’t see and doesn’t know anything about. The Lord gives his people perpetual joy when they walk in obedience to him.

Dwight L. Moody

So, let this season be a reminder of the joy that we ought to have within us, and the willingness with which we ought to be sharing it with those around us.

Ultimately, we rejoice in our redemption and freedom in Christ, not just because he was born, but because he also fulfilled his mission throughout his life, death and resurrection. He gave himself up to humanity so that we might have a chance of knowing him, and of being with him forever.

Conclusion

To conclude, I’ll read a few verses from Paul’s letter to the Philippians:

Philippians 4:4–9 LSB

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your considerate spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is dignified, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, consider these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.