Joy is more than a December celebration

Throughout this month, churches and radio stations have filled the air with the great Christmas hymn “Joy to the World.” But joy shouldn’t be a one-month celebration. If we’re on our game as Christians, it should be a daily happening.

There’s one problem, though: Joy doesn’t come naturally. We must pursue it and bring it into our lives through prayer, Bible reading and staying out of strife. The tension between a body that wants its own way and a world that encourages sin makes living a full-time life of joy a challenge.

Happiness is different. Happiness depends on what is happening right now. If life is going smoothly, if the body is healthy, if our team wins or the economy is stable, then we’re happy. But joy sees past current circumstances and looks toward the end result.

When the virgin Mary was told God’s plan for her to give birth to the Messiah, she responded, “My heart is overflowing with praise of my Lord, my soul is full of joy in God my Savior, for he has bent low to notice me, his humble servant. Be it unto me according to your will.” Mary’s soul was full of joy because she saw past the whispers and raised eyebrows that would surely follow an unmarried teenager. Her joy was rooted in the privilege of birthing and raising the Messiah.

The book of Hebrews, chapter 12, says of Jesus, “For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” There was nothing enjoyable about the cross. But Jesus knew the end result would be redemption for humanity, and that brought him great joy. Joy is faith that looks ahead to victory.

Jesus said in John 15 that the key to maintaining joy is obedience: “Just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love, I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” If we want joy, we obey the Father as Jesus did.

So as we sing the “joy” songs with just days remaining until Christmas, let’s remember that joy is not a December-only event but a 24/7, 365 choice to look past life’s trials and focus on God’s redemption plan through Jesus the Messiah, Redeemer and Savior.

Ken Staley is pastor of Faith Church of Pleasant Grove, 9:30 a.m., and Harrisville Methodist Church, 11 a.m. Both are Global Methodist congregations. Text him at 918-852-9797.