1. JOY

2. Happiness: The state of feeling or showing pleasure or contentment.
Joy: Greek Euphraino- To gladden

3. “Joy is something entirely different from happiness
“Joy is something entirely different from happiness. Joy, in the Biblical context is not an emotion… There is a big difference between joy and happiness. Happiness is an emotion and temporary; joy is an attitude of the heart.” –Randy Alcorn

4. Would you be stressed, upset, etc… if the house wasn’t decorated for Christmas?
What would your response be if your family said they weren’t coming for Christmas?
What would your response be if you couldn’t get your family the gifts they had been asking for?
What would your response be if you came home and your favorite Christmas item was broken, destroyed, or lost?
What would you do if the traditions you set up and love didn’t happen at all this year?

5. Do you trust Him and choose that attitude of joy regardless of our circumstances?

6. Colossians 1:9-14
9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives,[e] 10 so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 

7. 11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience,12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you[f] to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

8. Romans 15:13
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

9. Accept the Gift of joy from God

10. John 15: 9-11
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.