Sermon On The Joy Of Emmanuel

Henri J. M. Nouwen, a Dutch priest and professor once remarked: “At first sight, joy seems to be connected with being different. When you receive a compliment or win an award, you experience the joy of not being the same as others. You are faster, smarter, more beautiful, and it is that difference that brings you joy. But such joy is very temporary. True joy is hidden where we are the same as other people: fragile and mortal. It is the joy of belonging to the human race. It is the joy of being with others as a friend, a companion, a fellow traveler. This is the joy of Jesus, who is Emmanuel: God-with-us.”

Matthew 1:23 confirms: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).”

Joy is defined as a feeling of great pleasure and happiness. It signifies feelings of exhilaration, ebullience and gladness. It can overcome despair. As we approach another Christmas tide, when we should primarily give thanks and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, we may reflect on the joy that we have experienced in our own lives. The happy times when it seemed that we didn’t have a care in the world. Any troubles that we may have had, were put on hold. Our hearts were set free and may have been inclined to sing in sublime cheerfulness. Christmas is a time for special songs, often called carols. In 129 AD, a Roman Bishop suggested that a song entitled: “Angel’s Hymn” should be sung at a Christmas service in Rome. This was quickly followed by many others being composed and has continued steadily ever since. Many of them are biblically based and most create a feeling of benevolence within.

One particular carol entitled: “Joy To The World” was written in 1719 by an English minister and hymn writer named Isaac Watts. The lyrics are reputed to be based on Psalm 98. The first verse correlates the words: “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.” Psalm 98 reminds us: “Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel.

All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody! With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord! Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it! Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.”

Christmas constitutionally represents a season of new light. The birth of Jesus creates a light in the eternal darkness of sin, which allows us to see the way forward to a new life after death. John 8:12 confirms: 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.” If we choose to accept Him, then a current life that is full of darkness can receive an illumination never before encountered which shines before us and guides our way ahead.

With that new light also comes freedom. Freedom from the constraints of sin. Freedom to enjoy an earthly life filled with joy and happiness. Jesus has borne the pain of sin for us by His death on the cross which, through faith, has effectively released us from the suffering of hardship that we could possibly endure through our sins, and allows for our salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 confirms: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Joy and the mood that is often associated with it, create a better and more fruitful lifestyle. The general pattern of sleep often improves, bodily health may be enhanced and we may be able to cope with adverse conditions more easily. Samuel Dickey Gordon, an American author and evangelical lay minister once remarked: “Joy is distinctly a Christian word and a Christian thing. It is the reverse of happiness. Happiness is the result of what happens of an agreeable sort. Joy has its springs deep down inside. And that spring never runs dry, no matter what happens. Only Jesus gives that joy. He had joy, singing its music within, even under the shadow of the cross.” Psalm 16:11 confirms: “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”