As I reflect on the themes of Advent, one stands out to me. Joy. Not because I feel incredibly happy right now. Rather, quite the opposite. This has been a year of loss in our lives. People dying much too young. Just last evening I sat with a young lady who is in the last stages of her battle with cancer. Her family was around her, including her husband and three young children. I couldn’t have been further from a scene of happiness. God must have had something other than happiness in mind when he inspired James to write, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds…” (James 1:2 NIV).
Last year I wrote my December article on the subject of peace, and how the peace of God transcends human understanding. It strikes me that similarly to peace, the joy that is ours in Christ Jesus transcends human understanding. The world’s version of joy is simply another word for happiness; the absence of trouble or hardship, and the presence of good fortune. The joy that is ours in Christ Jesus isn’t circumstance dependent – it is a gift from God. In fact, true joy often distinguishes itself in the midst of adverse situations.
We are told in Scripture that Jesus, “…for the joy set before him endured the cross…” (Hebrews 12:2). Hardly what we would call a happy situation, yet there was the presence of joy.
True joy often distinguishes itself in the midst of adverse situations.
Similarly, Peter wrote, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed” (1 Pet. 4.12-13).
It was certainly true of the first Christmas. “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger’” (Luke 2:10-12).
Consider for a moment the situation. Mary was pregnant and unwed in Nazareth. True, Joseph went ahead with the wedding which made it better for her. But the gossips of Nazareth could count the months. Then a census was being taken. Why? The best information we have is that it had to do with more efficient collection of taxes throughout the Roman Empire. That doesn’t inspire happiness either. Because of the census, Mary and Joseph travelled from Nazareth in the Galilean north to Bethlehem, south of Jerusalem – a distance of some 70 miles as the crow flies. That’s an easy journey with our modern transportation, but how did they make the journey? We aren’t told. Artistic imagination has been kind to Mary and given her a donkey to ride, but even riding a donkey while being almost full-term would be no picnic. And then of course there was no room for them in the inn. We imagine a cozy manger with fresh hay and no manure or flies. In reality, the whole situation seems to have been much less than ideal. Yet the angel proclaimed, “I bring you good news of great joy!”
Joy isn’t merely happy circumstances. It is the ability to rejoice in our salvation in spite of our circumstances; the ability to rejoice in God’s ability to redeem; the ability to live with an eternal perspective and rejoice that our lives have meaning and purpose beyond what we are going through.
The setting I was in last evening was not a happy one. But there was joy! There was deep joy as the young lady battling cancer shared that she wants the testimony of her life to be that God is good and He is for us no matter what circumstances we are going through.
2 Responses
Yes!! Joy is definitely a supernatural response coming out of a believer’s life. Our faith is in someone much greater than ourselves or our circumstances. Thanks, Brian
Maybe joy is so beautiful and powerful because it sustains us when happiness is not an option. Thanks, Brian. This was helpful.