The Joy of Advent:
Anticipating Christ’s Coming with Joy
December 15, 2024
Dr. Bradford Reaves
Crossway Christian Fellowship
Romans 15:13, James 1:2, 1 Peter 1:8-9, Luke 15:
As we continue our Advent journey, our focus shifts toward joy—the joy that comes with anticipating the coming of Christ and the joy that we, as believers, experience in Him. Advent is a time of hopeful expectation, but it’s also a season of deep, abiding joy. But what is this joy, and where does it come from? Let’s consider the source of joy, how joy can exist even in trials, the joy of salvation, and how heaven itself rejoices over the redemption of sinners.
I. The Source of Our Joy (Romans 15:13)
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13)
The first thing we must recognize is that God is the source of our joy. In Romans 15:13, Paul prays that “the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Here, Paul highlights the connection between joy and faith. Joy is not something we manufacture in our own strength—it is a gift from God. It is through faith in Jesus Christ, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, that we experience joy and peace.
With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. (Isaiah 12:3)
The Christmas Tree and the True Gift
There’s something undeniably special about the tradition of decorating a Christmas tree. For many of us, it’s a symbol of home, family, and the joy of the holiday season. I remember, as a child, the excitement of pulling out the decorations and setting up the tree with my family. The lights, the tinsel, the ornaments—each one brought a sense of anticipation for the day ahead. But perhaps the most magical moment was when the star or angel was placed on top of the tree, and we would step back to admire how the room seemed to come alive with warmth and light.
But it’s easy to forget the deeper meaning behind the Christmas tree. As beautiful and nostalgic as it is, the tree itself is just a backdrop to something much more important—the gift beneath it. We would get so caught up in the decorations, the presents, and the excitement that sometimes we could forget the real meaning of Christmas.
In the same way, our joy at Christmas can sometimes get distracted by the festivities. But the source of true joy isn’t found in the lights, the presents, or even the traditions—it’s found in the gift that was given to us: Jesus Christ. As Paul writes in Romans 15:13, God is the source of our joy and peace. He sent His Son to be our Savior, and it is in Him that we find our greatest joy.
As we decorate our Christmas trees and celebrate the holiday, let’s remember that the true gift is not under the tree but the Christ who came to bring peace between God and man. His birth is the light that illuminates the darkness of our hearts and fills us with joy that transcends the season itself.
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)
for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (Ephesians 5:8)
This joy is not limited by the world’s circumstances. The joy Paul refers to is not based on our earthly comforts or successes. It is a deep, spiritual joy that remains even when life is hard, because it’s rooted in God’s goodness, His promises, and the hope of eternal life with Him. As we reflect on Christ’s birth during Advent, we are reminded that God Himself is the wellspring of joy. He has promised that through faith in His Son, we can experience a joy that transcends the hardships of this world.
II. Joy in Trials (James 1:2)
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, (James 1:2)
While the world associates joy with happiness, comfort, or ease, biblical joy is not dependent on circumstances. In James 1:2, we are instructed, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.” This command to find joy in trials seems paradoxical, doesn’t it? How can joy exist in the midst of suffering? James teaches us that joy is not found in the absence of trouble but in the knowledge that trials test and strengthen our faith. When we experience hardship, we can rejoice knowing that God is at work in us, shaping our character and drawing us closer to Him.
This is not a natural response. Our human tendency is to avoid suffering, but God uses trials to refine us. He molds us through the struggles of life, and we can find joy in the fact that He is working in us, producing perseverance, character, and hope (Romans 5:3-5). This kind of joy is not the joy of the world, fleeting and surface-level, but a joy that sustains us through life’s storms because it is grounded in our faith in God’s sovereignty and goodness.
The Christmas Spirit in the Midst of Struggle
Charles Dickens, in his timeless classic A Christmas Carol, captured the true essence of Christmas joy in the face of hardship. In one poignant moment, the transformed Ebenezer Scrooge, filled with newfound generosity and compassion, exclaims:
“I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future. The Spirits of all Three shall strive within me. I will not shut out the lessons that they teach!”
What an amazing transformation! Scrooge went from being a man hardened by his circumstances to someone who found joy in the midst of personal trials and even reached out in kindness to others. The true spirit of Christmas, as Dickens portrays it, doesn’t rely on external circumstances but on an inner change—a recognition that joy can still exist, even in the midst of struggle.
James 1:2 encourages us to “count it all joy” when we face trials of various kinds. Dickens’ character, Scrooge, had to face the “trial” of his own selfishness, the truth of his past, and the fears of his future. But in the end, his joy came from the transformation of his heart and his decision to embrace the love and generosity that Christmas brings, even in the face of hardship.
Just as Scrooge found peace and joy by welcoming the lessons of Christmas, we too can find joy in our trials—not because we enjoy the hardships, but because we know that, like Scrooge, God is using those moments to shape and transform us. And as we do, we come to understand the truth of Romans 15:13: God, the source of all hope, fills us with joy and peace in believing, so that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can abound in hope—no matter what trials we face.
III. The Joy of Salvation (1 Peter 1:8-9)
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, 9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:8–9)
Another powerful source of joy is the joy of salvation. In 1 Peter 1:8-9, Peter writes, “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” As we celebrate the coming of Christ, we are reminded of the joy that comes from knowing our sins have been forgiven.
Even though we have not seen Jesus face to face, our love for Him fills our hearts with an inexpressible joy. This is a joy that goes beyond the circumstances of the moment; it is a joy that is rooted in our salvation—the eternal security we have in Christ. It is this joy that marks the believer’s life, especially during the season of Advent, as we anticipate the Savior’s return.
As we meditate on the meaning of Christ’s birth, we are reminded of the great price He paid for our salvation. Jesus came to rescue us from sin and death. The joy of Advent is not merely the celebration of a baby born in Bethlehem; it is the rejoicing in the reality that through His birth, life, death, and resurrection, we have been reconciled to God. This joy is not only for this life, but for eternity.
This leads me to my last point, rejoicing in heaven.
IV. The Rejoicing in Heaven (Luke 15:7)
Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. (Luke 15:7)
Finally, joy is a heavenly reality. Luke 15:7 tells us, “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” This verse highlights that joy in heaven is centered on salvation. Jesus’ parable of the lost sheep teaches us that God’s heart rejoices when a sinner repents and returns to Him. Heaven itself celebrates the redemption of souls.
This truth should inspire our own joy as well. The joy we experience in Christ should be shared with others. We, too, should rejoice in the salvation of others and seek to be part of God’s redemptive work in the world. As we anticipate Christ’s return, we are reminded that our joy is not just personal—it is a joy that should be shared with all, especially with those who do not yet know Christ.
Chuck Colson—From Power to Purpose, Joy in Christ
One of the most remarkable “Scrooge-like” transformations of the 20th century is the story of Chuck Colson. Known as Richard Nixon’s “hatchet man,” Colson was a powerful figure in Washington, D.C., operating in a world of manipulation and power games. He was known for his ruthlessness in achieving his political goals, and it seemed he had everything: wealth, power, influence. Yet, in the midst of it all, he was living a life of emptiness—driven by ambition but deeply unsatisfied.
However, everything changed when Colson found himself at the center of the Watergate scandal. His involvement in the political cover-up led to his conviction and prison sentence in 1974. The man who had once used every power at his disposal to control others was now facing the full consequences of his actions. It was in the isolation of a federal prison that Chuck Colson had an encounter with Jesus Christ that forever changed him. He writes in his memoir, Born Again, about his conversion:
“I had been searching for meaning in all the wrong places…I was blind to the joy that comes from knowing Christ, and when I accepted His forgiveness and allowed Him to take control of my life, I found a joy I had never known before. The world could no longer own me.”
Chuck Colson’s transformation was nothing short of miraculous. No longer was he focused on power or wealth, but on serving others, spreading the love of Christ, and transforming lives. Instead of the anger and bitterness that had once ruled his life, Colson embraced the joy of the Lord, working tirelessly to minister to others, especially prisoners, through his organization, Prison Fellowship. He even became known for his joy and compassion, often reaching out to others with love and encouragement. The same man who had once been a hardened political operator was now a man whose heart was filled with the joy of Christ.
Colson’s life is a profound reminder of the truth James spoke about in James 1:2—how we can “count it all joy” when we meet trials. Colson’s trial wasn’t just a legal one; it was a spiritual one. And the joy he found in Christ was not just a fleeting feeling, but a lasting joy that came from knowing that Christ had redeemed him, no matter his past. His story is a testament to the power of God to transform lives and to fill them with a joy that nothing in this world can take away.
This transformation wasn’t just a change in outward circumstances—it was a heart change, a deep joy that overflowed in every aspect of his life. Just as Scrooge was transformed in A Christmas Carol, Chuck Colson’s life was changed by the ultimate gift of joy, which can only come from a relationship with Christ. And as believers, we are invited to experience that same joy, regardless of our past or our circumstances.
Chuck Colson’s story illustrates the heart of Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing.” It’s a joy that transcends trials, a peace that comes from knowing that we are reconciled to God, and a hope that we carry into a world in desperate need of it. In Christ, we too can be transformed and find a joy that is deeper than any circumstance, a joy that will last forever.
Conclusion: Living in Light of Christ’s Joy
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:11)
As we celebrate Advent, let us reflect on the joy that Christ brings—the joy of reconciliation with God, the joy of salvation, the joy that transcends circumstances, and the joy that fills heaven itself when a sinner repents. Christ, the Savior of the world, has come, and His joy is available to all who believe. Let us be agents of that joy in the world today.
This Christmas, let’s remember that the joy of Christ is not just for us—it’s meant to be shared. Are we allowing Christ’s joy to overflow in our lives? Are we living in light of the eternal joy that is ours through faith in Him? As we await Christ’s second coming, let us rejoice in the Savior and share that joy with all those around us.
