Introduction

As we journey through Advent, preparing our hearts for Christmas and the arrival of the Christ child, the theme of joy weaves itself through our celebrations. We sing it in carols, see it in decorations, and hear it in Christmas greetings. People generally seem a little bit nicer during this time. But what is this joy we celebrate? Is it the same as happiness, or is it something deeper?

Let’s reflect on the difference between happiness and joy, and the boundless well of joy that is ours in Christ this season and every day.

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Happiness vs. Joy

Happiness can be fleeting. It’s a response to favorable circumstances—receiving a thoughtful gift, enjoying time with loved ones, or seeing your favorite sports team win. While happiness is a wonderful feeling, it’s mostly tied to our external environment, making it fragile. When circumstances change, happiness can quickly dissipate.

Joy, on the other hand, runs much deeper. It’s not dependent on what’s happening around us but flows from a wellspring within us.

My Dog Named Happy

I have a golden doodle dog I named Happy. This name suits her (I think dogs tend to live into the names we give them), but I sometimes wonder if I should have named her Joy instead. Here’s why I say that. There’s a little park we pass through on our daily walks. Since there’s never anyone around at that park early in the morning when we’re there, and since she’s a well-trained dog, I allow her a little time to run free, off her leash. As soon as I release her, she runs in crazy circles, flinging her cares to the wind. When she’s running with such reckless abandon, the French phrase Joie de vivre always pops into my head. It translates to “joy of living” or “joy of life.” It refers to a cheerful enjoyment of life, an exuberant attitude, or a zest for life that is marked by an enthusiastic appreciation for the present moment and all its experiences.

I try to live like that, but I don’t always succeed like Happy does. I want to carry with me throughout each day an infectious optimism. I want to always delight in simple pleasures, relationships, and the beauty of everyday life. Such joy is not tied to material wealth or external achievements but rather a deep sense of gratitude, contentment, and passion for living.

For followers of Christ, joy like this is available to us. It is a deep well that comes from knowing we are loved, even on our worst day. It results from recognizing that God doesn’t condemn us—on the contrary, He saved us by sending us His Son. It is rooted in the unchanging nature of God’s promises rather than the shifting tides of life. God holds us and our futures in His strong, capable hands. When I think of that, I feel like running around in crazy circles myself.

Nehemiah reminds us of the deep truth of the joy of life with God when he writes:

Joy is more than a fleeting emotion—it is a source of strength that sustains us through life’s valleys and peaks.

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The Deep Well of Joy in Christmas

At Christmas, we have every reason to rejoice because we celebrate the coming of our Savior. The baby born in Bethlehem is not just a tender child in a manger; He is the fulfillment of God’s promise to save us. This truth is the foundation of our joy, a joy that nothing in this world can take away.

The angel declared this profound joy when announcing Jesus’ birth to the shepherds:

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11 NIV)

The good news of Christ’s birth is the reason for the deep, abiding joy that we celebrate. This joy is not limited to Christmas Day—it is available to us every day, in every season.

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Joy to the World

One of my favorite Christmas carols, “Joy to the World,” captures the essence of this joy. Isaac Watts wrote the lyrics based on Psalm 98. Verses from this psalm include:

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
burst into jubilant song with music;
make music to the Lord with the harp,
with the harp and the sound of singing,
with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—
shout for joy before the Lord, the King.
Let the rivers clap their hands,
let the mountains sing together for joy…

Psalm 98:4-6, 8 (NIV)

Here’s an example of how Watts interpreted these verses:

Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; Let every heart prepare Him room, And heaven and nature sing.

“Joy to the World”, by Isaac Watts

This hymn reminds us that the joy of Christmas is not just for a select few but for the entire world. Jesus’ arrival is the fulfillment of God’s plan to redeem creation and restore it to Himself. When we sing “Joy to the World,” we proclaim the incredible truth that the King has come and His reign brings hope, peace, and joy to all who receive Him.

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Living in the Joy of Christmas

For those of us who have accepted God’s gracious gift of salvation through Jesus, the joy of Christmas is not confined to the Advent season. It is a wellspring we can draw from every day. When life is challenging, when happiness feels out of reach, the joy of knowing Jesus sustains us.

As Paul writes to the believers in Philippi:

Look at that guy in the picture. If I could jump more than an inch and a half off the ground, that would be me when I think about the countless ways God has blessed me.

Joy that makes you jump like that is not based on external circumstances but on the unshakable truth of God’s love and faithfulness.

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Conclusion

This Advent season, will you make room in your heart for the joy of Christmas? We should all reflect on this incredible gift: the tiny baby Jesus, the Creator of all things who put on humanity to come to earth and save us from ourselves. The Bringer of eternal joy. Whether we are singing carols, gathering with loved ones, or spending quiet moments walking with Jesus in prayer, let’s remember that the joy we celebrate is a joy that lasts—one that transcends our circumstances and anchors us in God’s promises.

May the joy of the Lord be your strength this season and every day to come. Rejoice, for the Lord is come!