Luke 2 All who heard the shepherds story

Luke 2 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 18

The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them. 20

Joy to The World 125 CCLI No. 11100572

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.

Joy to the world, the Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sin and sorrow grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make His blessings flow Far as the curse is found, Far as, far as the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of His righteousness, And wonders of His love, And wonders, of His love.

The Wissmann’s

1 Thessalonians 5 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 16

Good Christian Men Rejoice! 151 CCLI No. 11100572

Good Christian men, rejoice, With heart and soul, and voice; Give ye heed to what we say: Jesus Christ is born to-day; Ox and ass before him bow, And he is in the manger now. Christ is born to-day!

Good Christian men, rejoice, With heart and soul, and voice; Now ye hear of endless bliss: Jesus Christ was born for this! He hath opened heaven’s door, And man is blessed evermore. Christ was born for this!

Good Christian men, rejoice, With heart and soul, and voice; Now ye need not fear the grave: Jesus Christ was born to save! Calls you one and calls you all To gain his everlasting hall. Christ was born to save!

Luke 2 27…[Simeon] came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation 29

Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, 32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of Your people Israel. ” 31

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus 124 CCLI No. 11100572

Come, Thou long expected Jesus Born to set Thy people free; From our fears and sins release us, Let us find our rest in Thee.

Israel's strength and consolation, Hope of all the earth Thou art; Dear desire of every nation, Joy of every longing heart.

Born Thy people to deliver, Born a child and yet a King, Born to reign in us forever, Now Thy gracious kingdom bring.

By Thine own eternal Spirit Rule in all our hearts alone; By Thine all sufficient merit, Raise us to Thy glorious throne.

Luke 2 …the angel said to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 10

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. 11

How Great Our Joy! 144 CCLI No. 11100572

While by the sheep we watched at night Glad tidings brought an angel bright How great our joy! Joy, joy! Praise we the Lord in heaven on high

There shall be born so he did say In Bethlehem a child today How great our joy! Joy, joy! Praise we the Lord in heaven on high

There shall the child lie in a stall This child who shall redeem us all How great our joy! Joy, joy! Praise we the Lord in heaven on high

This gift of God we’ll cherish well That ever joy our hearts shall fill How great our joy! Joy, joy! Praise we the Lord in heaven on high

John Elwes 1714 - 1789

• Inspiration for Dickens’ Ebineezer Scrooge • Changed his name to inherit his uncle’s estate (£ 250, 000 – today at least $72 million) • Went to bed when it got dark • Ate stale bread, moldy meat, or small game trapped on his estate

• Wore ragged clothes of his late uncle • Allowed his house to deteriorate • Walked about the house to keep warm to save wood • Lived like a hermit for over fifty years

• Member of Parliament 1774 -1784 • Net worth of £ 1 million ($290 millioin+) • Dressed the same – walked everywhere to avoid fares

A more joyless old shade you could never hope to meet

Perspectives: • The meaning of joy • Joy at Jesus’ birth • Other Scripture • A word of caution

Perspectives: • The meaning of joy

H a p p i n e s s!!

1. Happiness is essentially an emotion or a feeling. 2. Happiness is triggered - based on other people, things, places, thoughts and events. 3. To enjoy something is to be happy – have happiness in relation to that something

1. Joy and happiness are very different. 2. Joy is not an emotion or a feeling – it is state of being 3. True joy is consistent and is internal. 4. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 22

5. True joy with God 6. True joy with who you are comes when you are at peace and others comes when you make peace you are, why you are and how

You can be unhappy but experience real joy!

James 1 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith 2

…produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Perspectives: • The meaning of joy • Joy at Jesus’ birth

Matthew 2 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them… 9

…till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy.

Luke 2 27…[Simeon] came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:

“Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; 29 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation

Perspectives: • The meaning of joy • Joy at Jesus’ birth • Other Scripture

Nehemiah 8 Then [Nehemiah] said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; 10

for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. ”

John 15 11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

Real joy is mine No matter if teardrops start I’ve found the secret It’s Jesus in my heart

Perspectives: • The meaning of joy • Joy at Jesus’ birth • Other Scripture • Words of caution

** Detour **

Genesis 4 Cain brought an offering of the fruit of the ground to the Lord. 4 Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat.

And the Lord respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He did not respect Cain and his offering. And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell.

6 So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? 7 If you do well, will you not be accepted?

And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it. ”

Now Cain talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. 8

The first account of bitterness in a family over spiritual matters governed by a personal agenda lead to the first murder recorded in Scripture

Jesus’ standard for HIS body: In the family (Colossians 3: 18 -28): • Love • Honour • Mutual submission

Jesus’ standard for HIS body: In the family (Colossians 3: 18 -28): In the church (Galatians 6: 9 -10) “…do good to all people and especially those who belong to the family of faith. ”

Jesus’ standard for HIS body: In the community (Hebrews 12: 14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:

Jesus’ standard for HIS body: In the community (Hebrews 12: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;

Ephesians 4 30 …do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. .

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. 32

What Next?

What Next? John 15 11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.

What Next? Real joy is mine No matter if teardrops start I’ve found the secret It’s Jesus in my heart Living a life within His favour

What Next? B i t t e r n e s s

What Next? B i t t e r n e s s

What Next? So where do we go from here? Well, we repent. B i t t e r n e s s

What Next? We take an honest look in the mirror and ask God to change us – corporately and individually – and to give us the courage to begin reconciling with those who have been harmed.

Romans 15: 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” Amen