Overjoyed

This is the season of the great joy of Christmas:

• Mary: Luke 1:28 (NKJV): "Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!"
• Baby John the Baptist: Luke 1:44 (NKJV): "For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy."
• Shepherds: Luke 2:10 (NKJV): "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people."
• The Wise Men: Matthew 2:10 (NKJV): "When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy."

This Christmas season, let us rejoice and be glad.

The Bible abounds with these words: joy, joyful, joyfully, joyfulness, joyous, rejoice, rejoicing, glad, gladly, and gladness. Based on John 15:1–11, we recognize three key aspects of joy: abiding, bearing, and loving.

John 15:11 (NKJV): "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full."

The Great Joy of Abiding in Christ

The word "abide" (Greek: meno) appears 10 times in John 15:1–11, meaning to remain and continue. As we abide in Him, His joy remains in us. Our hearts must be circumcised to be sensitive to God’s promptings, as refusing to forgive can harden our hearts.

• Acts 2:46–47 (NKJV): "They ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people."
• James 1:2–4 (NKJV): "Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience."
• 1 Peter 1:8 (NKJV): "...you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory."

The Great Joy of Bearing Fruit

The word "bear" (Greek: phero) appears six times in John 15:1–11. God desires us to be fruit-bearing disciples in His kingdom.

• Isaiah 56:7 (NKJV): "Even them I will bring to My holy mountain and make them joyful in My house of prayer."
• Acts 8:8 (NKJV): "And there was great joy in that city."
• 1 Thessalonians 2:19–20 (NKJV): "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?"

The Great Joy of Loving God

Our joy is found in the Lord, not in material possessions or relationships. He is our greatest joy and treasure.

• Psalm 35:9 (NKJV): "And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; it shall rejoice in His salvation."
• Psalm 89:15 (NKJV): "Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O Lord, in the light of Your countenance."

Conclusion

As the Lord brings light through His Word, may our darkened souls, confused minds, and troubled hearts be enlightened.

• Romans 14:17 (NKJV): "For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."
• Romans 15:13 (NKJV): "Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."