Could it be that many of the pursuits that pervade our magazines, cover stories, and current affairs today are simply differently sized and shaped searches for real, lasting joy? Of all the gifts that we can receive at Christmas, perhaps the most meaningful for our world today is joy.
Few would deny that amongst shining pockets of hope that dot the landscape like lonely Christmas lights, the world is mostly getting worse. Wars, slavery, abuse at an all-time high, and many people powerless to the machinations of world leaders that no longer seem to hold to a system of ethics that aligns with traditional Christian values. So on this, the third Sunday of Advent it’s more timely than ever that we remember that Joy has come. Even as we see so many in oppression, turmoil, or depression we know that there is hope. Joy is not only a possibility; it’s a promise.
Joy Past
We look back to the stable in Bethlehem, of which the angels announced “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all the people.” (Luke 2:10) and we see what John Piper has called the dawning of indestructible joy. The Creator has become the created in order to do what we could not to secure our redemption, and restore us to the relationship for which we were given life. We experience this joy firsthand when we hear the news of the birth of the saviour of the world, and bend our knee to the reality of his reign. This announcement rubs against the pursuits we see on our billboards and commercials, because we come to realise that joy is not found in something inside us, nor is it found in stuff. Oswald Chambers wrote “Living a full and overflowing life does not rest in bodily health, in circumstances, nor even in seeing God’s work succeed, but in the perfect understanding of God, and in the same fellowship and oneness with Him that Jesus Himself enjoyed.” Joy might be sought in many ways in many places, but the Christmas story is that Joy has come, and his name in Jesus.
Joy Present
Second, joy is possible for us today because when Jesus ascended to heaven, he didn’t simply leave us to our own devices, but he gave us the promised Holy Spirit, the evidence of which is our possession of joy (Galatians 5:22-23). When we look at the very words of Jesus, we see that his aim in all he taught was the joy of his people: “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11). The story of the arrival of Jesus is a story of joy, but so much more than this: God himself is our joy!
Psalm 16:11 reads
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Joy Future
Finally, Advent is not only a time of patient anticipation as we look forward to celebrating the day of the arrival of true and lasting Joy, but we also look forward to the great Day when the baby boy of whom Isaac Watts wrote ‘Joy to the World, the Lord is come!” will return again as the reigning sovereign King, coming to bring all things to completion in himself; and fullness of joy for those who are his.
As Christians, we have a message which is joy from beginning to end, and we don’t have to wait until heaven to live a life characterised by joy, nor should we hesitate to share this good news continually. Rather, in the midst of trials, suffering, uncertainty, and a world which is increasingly hostile towards those who hold fast to Jesus, we possess an indestructible, eternal, all-conquering joy. May we rejoice today as we remember Christ and his promises, and may our hearts be filled with unending joy.
