As we reflect on Jesus’ birth in this season of Advent, we usually reflect on four key aspects of our faith in Christ: love, peace, hope, and joy. Here is the fourth reflection on joy as we prepare for Christmas:

IN WORD Perhaps you’ve heard a rumor that Jesus didn’t come to make you happy. It’s a statement pointed at those who pray selfish prayers, live with a sense of entitlement, and act as if God exists for their own pleasure. But it isn’t entirely true.
As Jesus would say later in this Gospel, His will for His followers is that they would have joy (John 15:11). Fullness of joy, in fact. And at some level, that involves a good bit of happiness. Jesus was rather blunt about another agenda: The thief doesn’t come to make us happy. Instead, he comes to steal, kill, and destroy. If we’re pointing fingers at those who don’t see our happiness as important, this is where we need to point first. The enemy of God is also the enemy of His Kingdom and of our souls, and he wants to make people miserable. He even convinces many that to be good Christians they must rid their lives of everything that gives them pleasure. Meanwhile, Jesus presents an alternate agenda: He came so we could have life.
Abundant life, full life, complete life—the shalom that includes wholeness and overflowing goodness in every area. Yes, we may encounter hardships, but we can maintain our joy in the midst of them, knowing that our joy is important to God. It’s one of the primary reasons He sent Jesus into the world. Jesus said so Himself.
IN DEED Never fall for the lie that the Kingdom is anything other than a realm overflowing with joy. God takes pleasure in Himself, His domain, and His people—and He expects us to experience His pleasure too. Whatever steals, kills, and destroys in your life is not from Him, even if it comes dressed in religious clothing. There may be some discomfort as we transition from the old nature to the new, but that transition never does violence to our true identity in Him. We are people of the extravagantly happy Kingdom, now and forever. We are meant to rejoice in everything. “Joy is the serious business of heaven.” – C.S. Lewis (“Heaven on Earth” by Chris Tiegreen)

Do you wonder what our future life of joy will be like? Take some time to read Genesis 2-3, then Revelation 20-22 this week. Note the parallels between Genesis and Revelation. You will find that the life God intended in Genesis is the life that we will have when Jesus returns. Most importantly, it could not have been possible without Jesus’ birth in the middle of history.
Take some time to reflect as you sing “Joy to the World!”, either by yourself, when you hear it on the radio, or in worship with others, then ask the Holy Spirit to give you a foretaste of Jesus’ joy. Have a blessed week of a deepening experience of Jesus’ presence! – from Singapore, Pastor Sam