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Luke 2:8-11 8  And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.9  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of GREAT JOY that will be for ALL THE PEOPLE. 11  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

We see from Luke’s Gospel that the joy God offers is an Accessible Joy.

The good news of great joy was for all people! Everyone can experience joy because of Jesus’ entrance into the world. If you are struggling to experience God’s joy, if you are overcome with the trials of life, the answer is found in Jesus. And Jesus promises an experience with joy that is full or abundant.

John 15:11-I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete/full.

Psalm 16:11-You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Let’s call this kind of joy Complete Joy. It is a joy that completes our lives even when we feel empty. It fills in the gaps in our heart when we are in pain. It is an abundant joy because it can be accessed and experience even in the midst of life’s trials.

The joy Jesus gives is also an Enduring Joy. Enduring joy is experienced as Jesus keeps us safe in the midst of trouble. Look at the Psalmist’s words in Psalm 27:5-7-For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.

We can be in a difficult situation and yet experience joy. It is a supernatural experience. You see, joy is like an anchor. It runs deep. It is that which makes our heart sing because it is a reminder that this world is not our home!

Jesus said, “Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven.” Luke 6:23

Joy is the quiet confidence, the inner smile, that Jesus always has something better for us than what this world can deliver!

Another kind of joy Jesus has to give us is what I would call Transforming Joy.

When we go through painful times, and we let Jesus lead the way, there will be a gratitude well up within us. There will be a purpose to discover. There will be a blessing as we watch God work. We are transformed into people of faith rather than fear. Look at what Scripture promises us:

Jeremiah 31:13-I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

John 16:20-I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.

This is what Jesus does. He transforms pain into joy as we trust Him and walk with Him.

Jesus also gives us an Empowering Joy. Nehemiah 8:10 tells us the joy of the Lord is our strength. When would we consider a person most vulnerable, most exposed and most broken or weak? Probably when they are grieving and are crushed in their spirits. God literally has joy to give us that empowers people to go from weak and crushed to strong in Him.

The joy OF THE LORD is your strength. Our joy will be limited; therefore, the strength that comes from our joy, will have a cut off, a shut off, and an end. But the joy OF THE LORD that becomes our strength? It will be without limit! When you feel squeezed by life, backed into a corner, without help or hope, ask God for what you need, but in your ask include that God would fill your life with His joy because it will get you through.

How is it that joy is accessed? First of all, Joy is accessed when we are filled with the Holy Spirit. Joy is listed as a fruit of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 5. If you possess the Spirit of God on the inside of you, you will grow in joy as you grow in your relationship with the Holy Spirit.

Look at these verses: Acts 13:52-And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of God is…righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit is our Helper. He is the one who comforts us. He is the one who convicts us of sin. He is the one who leads us into all truth and enables us to understand Scripture. He is the one who makes us more like Jesus. He helps us discover and do the will of God. He empowers us for life and ministry, and He is also the one who infuses our life with great joy.

The second way we access joy is through the Word of God.

Psalm 19:8 8  The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

If you want a life that overflows with joy that possess constant joy and joy in an increasing measure, get into the Word of God. Jeremiah had this to say about his experience with the Word of God: 15:16When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, O LORD God Almighty.

Jesus told His disciples in John 15:10-12-“IF you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

Do you understand what Jesus said here? He said, “Joy is a byproduct of obedience.” God’s joy is completed in us as we keep God’s commands.

The third and final way that I believe we access joy is this: We access joy by practicing joy. We need to learn to praise God for the good things He has already done.

For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done. How great are your works, Lord, how profound your thoughts! – Psalm 92:4-5

We can also practice joy by making Christmastime joyful for other people. Can you think of a way to share some Christmas joy? Can you leave an extra generous tip, the kind that would really give someone a life lift? Can you bake some cookies for a neighbor? Can you take lunch to a co-worker? Can you visit someone in a nursing home? I guarantee you, as you focus on infusing joy into other people’s lives, you’ll become more joyful yourself. Look at the example of Jesus.

For the joy set before him Jesus endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

Jesus experienced joy even in His sacrifice. As He laid down His life for you and me, we became His joy. Knowing that we could one day be with Him in Heaven brought Him joy even in the worst moment of His life. Knowing His life would bring salvation and joy to countless people gave Him great joy. Imagine that, you bring joy to Jesus!

Jesus is a joy-maker and joy-giver even when it would seem that joy would be impossible. If you need it, you can access it and possess not only at Christmas, but every day you live!

James 5:14-16 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint
John 8:1-11 1Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the
Jesus prayed a lot. Prayer was routine for Jesus. Luke 5:16 says, “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”