Real Christmas Cheer

 Greek word for Joy is “chara” meaning: cheer, cheerfulness, calm delight, gladness, exceeding joy.  Modern dictionary: a state of happy bliss. Bliss actually refers to a heavenly state/ultimate comfort.  There are 236 references to the word joy in the Scriptures.

 “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.’ “ (Luke 2:10)  A “great joy” - This is an extraordinary cheerfulness. It is not given by the world nor taken away by the world. It is lasting and enduring.

 The angel explained the reason for the joy “For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.” (vs. 11)  Born to you…for you…given to you  The joy connected to our salvation is so great that it trumps all other joys and swallows all of life’s disappointments.  A King who had it all prayed “restore the joy of my salvation.”

 Humanity needs this great joy to be healthy because “The joy of the Lord is my (our) strength.” (Neh. 8:10)  His joy brings health because He is our Refuge, our Redeemer, our Rock, our Restoration.  The Christmas carol that best sums up the Christmas spirit is ‘Joy to the World’.  “Joy is the emotion evoked by well-being; by the prospect of possessing what one desires.”

 Joy Provided Through Faith “As soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. (Luke 1:44)  “Though you have not seen him you love him, and even though you do not see him now you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.” (1 Peter 1:8)

 Joy Protected with the shield of faith (Joy Robbers)  “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (1 Tim. 6:12)  “…count it all Joy when you fall into various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.” (James 1: 2)

 Joy Preserved by Faith (Christ will bring you across the finish line)  “To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy” (Jude 24)  “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy.” (Acts 20:24)