"overflowing With Love And Joy: The Heart Of Christmas"

Title: "Overflowing with Love and Joy: The Heart of Christmas"

Text:

Joy: John 15:11 "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."

Love: 1 John 4:9-10 "This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."

"Advent joy is the deep, unshakable delight that comes from knowing Christ is near—our hearts rejoice not because of perfect circumstances, but because of His perfect presence."

Advent joy ‘is the quiet thrill of knowing that, amid waiting and wondering, the light of Christ’s arrival draws closer—filling our hearts with hope that cannot be dimmed.

"Let me tell you about a man named Bill. Bill’s life wasn’t easy—he’d lost his job just weeks before Christmas, was living in a small, drafty apartment, and barely had enough to cover the heating bill. One snowy afternoon, I stopped by with a bag of groceries and found Bill humming an old hymn, setting a single candle on his table as if it were a grand chandelier. You’d think he had every comfort in the world.

Curiosity got the best of me. “Bill,” I said, “I know things are tough right now. How can you be so cheerful?” He looked up, smiled, and pointed to a dog-eared page v in his Bible. “Romans 15:13,” he said softly, ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him.’ “It doesn’t say God might give it if things go right—it says He will fill me with joy as I trust in Him. My circumstances might not be great, but my God still is.”

You see, Bill understood something critical. Joy isn’t the product of a perfect situation; it’s the byproduct of trusting a perfect Savior. He’d lost a job, sure—but he hadn’t lost Jesus. He had only one candle, but the light of Christ lit his heart. Bill’s joy didn’t depend on getting what he wanted; it depended on knowing who held his future.

That’s what biblical joy looks like: a calm delight rooted in God’s unchanging goodness. When we learn that kind of trust, even a single candle in a drafty room can outshine the gloom of any winter storm.

I. FOUR LESSONS WE LEARN ABOUT ADVENT JOY-

1. Joy Springs from God’s Good News: Luke 2:10, the angel declares to the shepherds, “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” True Advent joy doesn’t hinge on our current circumstances but on the reality that Jesus Christ, the Savior, has come. This joy is a gift from God, anchored in the Good News that transforms hearts and lives.

Here are three ways God's Word gives us joy:

* God's Word Reveals His Promises: The Bible is filled with promises of God's love, faithfulness, and salvation. Verses like Psalm 16:11 declare, "You make known to me the path of life; in Your presence there is fullness of joy." Knowing that God is always with us, that He has a plan for our lives, and that His promises are sure fills our hearts with deep and abiding joy, even in difficult circumstances.

*God's Word Guides Us in Truth: Scripture provides wisdom and direction, helping us navigate life with confidence. Psalm 119:105 reminds us, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Joy comes when we walk in God's ways, knowing we are aligned with His truth. His Word brings clarity and purpose, replacing confusion and fear with peace and contentment.

*God's Word Reminds Us of Our Salvation: Through the Bible, we are reminded of the good news of Jesus Christ and the joy of salvation. Isaiah 12:3 says, "With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation." The Word assures us of God's love, forgiveness, and eternal life, giving us a joy that transcends all earthly troubles. This joy becomes our strength and our song.

2. Joy Leads to Worship

“Upon seeing the Christ child, the shepherds returned “glorifying and praising God” (Luke 2:20). Their encounter with Jesus filled them with such delight that it overflowed into worship. Advent joy draws our attention upward, prompting us to honor, praise, and thank God for His indescribable gift.

3. Joy Is Grounded in Christ’s Presence

Psalm 16:11 reminds us, “In your presence there is fullness of joy.” Advent highlights that God dwelt among us in the person of Jesus, making His presence accessible and transforming ordinary spaces into holy ground. In Christ, we find a lasting joy that this world cannot replicate or diminish.