The Joy Of Advent

Ben Orchard

The call to rejoice is found so many times in scripture that it’s hard to count them all. From the Old Testament to the end of all things in Revelation, the call for God’s people to rejoice cannot be ignored. No wonder joy is a major feature of the Christmas season. One of the most iconic Christmas songs of all time is “Joy to the World.” Joy to the world, the Lord has come. Let earth receive her king.

In the Christmas story of Luke 2 we read,

And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

So Christmas is all about joy.

But we are to rejoice not only in December but also from January through November. Paul’s words in Philippians are, “Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I will say rejoice.” His exhortation fits perfectly with the season of Advent, but his injunction is to rejoice always.

We must not forget that joy is an emotion. And yet, it is commanded of us. Joy is gladness of heart, a feeling of delight. Since we don’t always feel that way, here are some truths about joy that may help you to rejoice.

1. Joy is an attribute of God.

Not only are we called to rejoice, but we see that joy finds its source in God Himself. Did you know that God rejoices over you? As Zephaniah says, “The Lord your God is in your midst, a victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy” (Zeph. 3:17). Shouts of joy. That sounds pretty emotional! But all good things find their genesis in God Himself.

2. Joy is something Christ practiced as our Example and Guide.

We often think of Jesus being kind and gentle, but probably not too emotional. But Luke tells us that even Christ rejoiced: “At that very time He rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit, and said, I praise You, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth…” (Luke 10:21). If we are to become like Christ, then Joy will mark our lives.

Joy is not independent of reality. Our circumstances may not dictate joy, but our joy is in the Lord. The truths about the Lord Jesus Christ do not change, for “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Or, as He says in Revelation, “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” (Revelation 1:8).

3. Joy is something the Apostle Paul practiced even though he faced more suffering than we could ever imagine (read 2 Corinthians 11:23-33 for the list of Paul’s sufferings).

This man who said, “For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life; indeed, we had the sentence of death within ourselves so that we would not trust in ourselves, but in God who raises the dead” (2 Cor. 1:8-9)—Yet while imprisoned in Rome he rejoiced that the Gospel was being preached (regardless of motives), “And in this I rejoice, Yes, and I will rejoice” (Phil. 1:8).

4. Joy is spiritual and possible because of the Holy Spirit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace…” (Galatians 5:22). This is possible when we “walk by the Spirit” (Gal. 5:16). Joy is part of the spiritual life and fruit of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. Our part is to walk in Him and obey the many injunctions to rejoice. But its true source is not in us or our circumstances, but first and foremost in God.

5. Joy is very often juxtaposed with trial, suffering, and anxiety.

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials” (James 1:2).

“Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you” (Matt. 5:11-12).

“Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I will say rejoice…Be anxious for nothing” Phil 4:4,6)

“Do not fear…I bring you good news of great joy” (Luke 2).

6. Joy is commanded, and therefore possible.

Joy is commanded but is not devoid of emotion. It cannot be manufactured, yet we are called to it. We must trade our fears for joy by choosing faith; by trusting in the truth of God’s character and recounting all He has done for us. Therein is our joy.

Sometimes I have this conversation in my head. “Go to the Gym. No, I’m tired. Go to the gym. I really don’t feel like it. Go for a run. It’s too cold outside. Go for a run. Okay, okay, okay.” I have never once regretted going for a run or going to the gym. In fact, the opposite is true. In the end, I always feel so much better because I have done what I know I should be doing. There is simple joy in the doing, and I feel so much better.

This Christmas season, remember that there is joy in the doing. There is joy in rejoicing. “Rejoice in Lord always, and again I will say rejoice!”