Luke 1:39-45 – 39 A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town 40 where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. 43 Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? 44 When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. 45 You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” (New Living Translation)

What is your attitude about joy?

• List below your attitude about joy

Where Do You Think Joy Come From?

• Our __________________ and _____________________

• Our __________________

• Our _____________________

Where Does Joy Really Comes From?

▸ Joy comes from the _____________________ of God

John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (New King James Version)

▸ Jesus’ coming is joy to all of _______

Luke 2:10-14 – 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. . . .” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: 14 “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (New King James Version)

▸ Jesus came to give us __________________________ joy

Daniel 9:14 – . . . the Lord our God is right in everything he does. (New Century Version)

Psalm 71:23 – I will shout for joy when I sing praises to you. You have saved me. (New Century Version)

Psalm 31:7 – I will be glad and rejoice in your mercy. . . . (God’s Word Translation)

Psalm 33:1, 4-5 – 1 Let the godly sing for joy to the Lord; it is fitting for the pure to praise him. . . . 4 For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does. 5 He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth. (New Living Translation)

Joy As the Foundation of Our Lives

❏ Joy is ____________________________ of God’s people

Psalm 150:1, 6 – 1 Praise the Lord! . . . 6 Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord! Praise the Lord! (New Living Translation)

Philippians 4:4 – Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again – rejoice! (New Living Translation)

❏ When joy is the foundation of our lives, circumstances do not determine our ________________________________

1 Peter 1:4, 6 – 4 And God has reserved for his children the priceless gift of eternal life; it is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. . . . 6 So be truly glad! There is wonderful joy ahead, even though the going is rough for a while down here. (The Living Bible)

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Take Time to Cultivate Joy in Our Lives

1. Write down all the “God incidents” of your life for the past year

Answered prayers, times when God blessed you, people like Old Fezziwig whom God brought into your life to make a difference. When you’ve done that, go over the list and thank Jesus for all he’s done for you. This is especially important if you’re going through a difficult time right now. It’s good to remember the many times God has been there for you. Offer your planning calendar to the Lord. Block out times for celebration. A surprise date with your spouse. Special time with your kids. Time to do something fun and frivolous with good friends.

2. Offer your planning calendar to the Lord

Block out times for celebration. A surprise date with your spouse. Special time with your kids. Time to do something fun and frivolous with good friends.

3. Revisit a happy memory of yours

Early in A Christmas Carol, Scrooge revisits one of his happiest memories – Fezziwig’s party, in which a dance scene gorgeously conjures images of community and acceptance. Are you struggling to revisit happy memories of your own? Ask someone to be your “dance partner,” someone for you to pray with, bake cookies with – whatever will help you create new, happy memories to cherish.

4. Participate with your children to help them change their “Humbugs to Hallelujahs” by creating happy memories

Make a chart together, matching each child’s name with squares for stickers. Each day, talk about when the child chooses to make a moment humbug or hallelujah, and add a sticker to the appropriate category on the chart. Give an incentive for going through December with more hallelujah choices than humbug ones.

5. Remember someone who might be having a difficult Christmas

Ask God to show you how to bless that person. Do something unexpected to bring joy to him or her. Joy is even sweeter when it’s shared..