The Gift of Joy

Kathy Carlton Willis is wise and witty, and she never fails to encourage readers to choose joy. In this Christmas UPGRADE, she says not to be overcome with stress, but rather, to be overcome with joy!

“You won't find joy gift-wrapped and under the Christmas tree, but it is a gift indeed,” Kathy says.

I (Dawn) have thought much about gifts over this year. Some gifts, we don't really want, but they ultimately bring us the peace we so desire. Kathy reminds us of a gift we all would like to have—the wonderful gift of true, God-given joy.

Kathy continues . . .

Without the birth of Christ which we celebrate at Christmas, there would be no authentic joy.

There might be temporary bursts of happiness, controlled by surrounding circumstances, but there would not be joy.

"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full” (John 15:11 KJV).

In times of crisis and conflict, joy produces a calm that cannot be explained. It allows a person to be more than just content, but actually excited about living life "out loud."

Joy gives its recipient an assurance that any unpleasant circumstance is only a temporary inconvenience that can be overcome victoriously.

Overcoming Joy Robbers at Christmas

1. Plan well.

One reason joy evades us is because we feel swallowed up in Christmas chaos. Taking time to discuss holiday plans will help prevent meltdowns.

2. Simplify.

We increase our potential for that Christmas chaos because we want to do “all the things” and there’s no way to do it all well. And sleep. We can all admit sleep is pretty important!

So simplify your “want to do” this Christmas season.

3. Reduce expectations.

One reason joy leaves a home is because expectations have entered in. We have unrealistic expectations for others and self. We have unmet expectations because we hope others will read our minds and we avoid communicating needs and wants.

Discuss expectations or eliminate them.

4. Make it about others.

If you want to thwart the joy robber, activate your security system. What is the best prevention of joy theft? Serving your way through the holiday season. It’s not too late to make Christmas special for someone else.

Being others-minded is the best way to bump up your joy quotient!

Joy to the World—and to Me?

When was the last time you sang “Joy to the World” and wondered if that included you too?

Joy can be elusive as challenging circumstances crowd our hearts. Yet, if there’s any time to be joyful, it’s at Christmastime. It celebrates such a gift of love!

Allow the joy of the Lord to fill you so that you are moved to worship Him, surrendered completely.

Our joy increases as we focus on God’s attributes and good works. In the presence of His majesty, we experience the awe of joyful adoration.

The Christmas carol, "Joy to the world, the Lord is come!" is so accurate. Joy came to the world in the form of the baby Jesus. Anything before that time was just an anticipation of the Christ Child's appearance.

We who live after His birth get the full picture—the gift of grace and mercy—rather than having to offer our own sin sacrifices like God's people did in the Old Testament. Christ's life and death give us the completion of God's gift to us, His beloved.

How can we not be joyful, when we consider this?

Earlier I mentioned the KJV version of John 15:11. Look how the NLT words it—“I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!”

Let’s break it down.

• When we focus on what Jesus told us in Scripture, we can be filled with joy.
• We will be filled, not with just any joy, but with Jesus’ joy. We get to experience the same joy Jesus experiences. Let that thought sink in!
• Our joy will be so full, we cannot contain it. It will overflow from our lives. One evidence of a joy-filled life is a joy-shared life.

Joy can only come from the One who guarantees salvation, because with that, there is eternal peace of mind. When Christ becomes real in our lives, we begin to pick up His mannerisms, and if Christ is anything, He is joyful.

It is one of those character traits I'm most thankful for receiving. The Holy Spirit living in me whispers joy to my heart and my mind when the outside world seems to be yelling negativity to me.

Joy to the world, and that includes you and me!

Are you overwhelmed with parties, guest lists, gift wrapping, and tinsel this season? Or are you overcome with joy?

Kathy Carlton Willis, God’s Grin Gal, writes and speaks with a balance of funny and faith—whimsy and wisdom. Not many funny girls also have Bible degrees! She coaches others to learn how to remove the training wheels of fear and not just risk, but also take pleasure in the joy ride of a life trusting in God. Her newest book, The Grin Gal’s Guide to Joy, releases in January 2020.

Graphic adapted, courtesy of Couleur at Pixabay.