Dear People Who Keep Company With God,
Christmas is about joy.
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. (Luke 2:10-11) 
The greatest birth announcement ever was one of great joy!
Joy has always been high on God’s agenda.
Here is a sample of what the Bible reveals about joy.
Jesus’ desire and goal in all He spoke was for 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)
Joy follows our believing. Our believing releases or hinders joy.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing. (Rom. 15:13)
One-third of the kingdom of God is joy.
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 14:17)
Joy is the fruit of God’s Spirit within us.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace. (Gal. 5:22)
Joy is the aim of everything the apostles did and wrote.
Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy. (2 Cor. 1:24)
Discovering the kingdom of heaven is finding a joy that makes you willing to forsake everything.
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy, he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” (Matt. 13:44)
God Himself is our greatest joy.
Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy. (Psalm 43:4)
In God’s Presence is the fullness of joy.
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)
Joy overcomes sorry.
Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! (Psalm 126:5)
Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. (Psalm 30:5)
Joy is relational; we can find joy in our relationship with others.
Therefore, my beloved and longed-for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. (Phil. 4:1)
Joy is not a choice. It is a response, but our choices can hinder or release our joy.
In the dark times, we walked through, I discovered that if I was going be joyful, I had to let it happen. You see, joy unlike happiness, which I love also, is not tied to circumstance. Joy is our birthright, yet joy does not always just happen apart from our involvement.
We see this so clearly in the life of King David.
I will be glad and rejoice in your love. For you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul (Psalm 31:7).
In his worst moments, David let joy happen. When life hurt and when it was sweet, David made the choice to open His heart to the One who loved him.
Here’s how we let joy happen in our worst or best moments. Jesus lost all joy so we could have joy. He experienced anguish so we could have new life. You look at what Jesus has done. You embrace Him and believe Him. You become childlike. Being joyful is childlike.
I pray this will be the most joyful Christmas ever for you.
Many Blessings, BW