Without looking back at last year’s writing, my recollection is we discovered one candle leads to the next so by the time we’ve lit them all, our faith shines brightly for all to see.
The hope we have in Jesus provides us with peace greater than any the world might offer because He is the Prince of Peace.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).
This peace enables us to have joy. We place our fears and concerns in His hands. That frees us to receive and experience His great joy.
Compassion International defines joy as “comfort, content, … peace.”1 Unlike the world’s dictionary definition, this description doesn’t include pleasure or happiness.
David wrote many psalms that guide us through the experience of living in relationship with God.
“Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people;
praise his holy name.
For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:4-5).
Our joy in God lasts beyond a single moment in time when all is well in our world.
The angels sang about joy even though Jesus was born in an unsettled time.
“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord’” (Luke 2:10-11). 
Jesus’ parents didn’t necessarily have happy or comfortable circumstances. Yet there was great joy that night.
- The promised Messiah has come.
- We no longer need to be afraid.
- We have Joy because God is with us.
- We no longer have to walk alone.
- We have Joy because God is with us.
- He will lead us and guide our steps if we ask.
- We have Joy that we can spend all eternity with
No wonder we follow the angels’ example and sing songs of Joy!
We rejoice and give glory to God for His great plan of salvation and favor on mankind.
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14).
No wonder God’s Word bids us to cast out fear and not be afraid.
We rejoice in God’s sovereignty as King and Lord of all.
“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
burst into jubilant song with music;
make music to the Lord with the harp,
with the harp and the sound of singing,
with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—
shout for joy before the Lord, the King” (Psalm 98:4-6).
Today we sing an adaption of this psalm, best known as a Christmas carol.2
Joy to the world, the Lord is come;
Let Earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare him room
And heaven and nature sing!
And heaven and nature sing!
And heaven…and heaven…and nature sing.
Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains,
Repeat the sounding joy! Repeat the sounding joy!
Repeat…repeat…the sounding joy!
Joy to the world!
~ from God our Savior
- “What the Bible Says About Joy.” Compassion Internationsl. https://www.compassion.com/christian-faith/bible-verses-about-joy.htm
- “A Brief History of ‘Joy to the World’.” adapted from “Joy for the World: How Christianity Lost Its Cultural Influence and Can begin Rebuilding It” by Greg Forster. Crossway.org. https://www.crossway.org/articles/a-brief-history-of-joy-to-the-world/