Restoring the Joy of ChristmasLuke 1:39-55

• Happiness and joy are not the same. Joy is about an attitude – happiness comes from an event or occurrence.

• The situation has to be right for happiness to happen• So what is joy?– According to the Scripture joy is an attribute of

the Holy Spirit. – The word means to be glad; to rejoice; to

celebrate; to be merry. – For Jesus His focus was always on God the Father

– that is what created joy. Our focus needs to be on Jesus.

• Scrooge used to celebrate, but he forgot how. The Ghost of Christmas Past had come to shine light on Scrooge’s life by helping him remember things that he chose to forget.

• THE GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST SHOWS SCROOGE HIS PAST THAT SHAPED WHO HE IS AND HOW HE GOT THERE – OUR PAST EFFECTS OUR PRESENT AND FUTURE:–As the Ghost of Christmas Past says, “our

memories are what they are.” We can’t change our memories. But we can alter how those memories affect us.

• Luke 2:8-14 (NIV) 8  And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10  But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. 12  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 13  Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14  "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

• CHRIST’S COMING IS “JOY TO THE WORLD!” – When we celebrate we will discover that we

aren’t alone. As we learn to focus on the joy and blessings we have in Christ regardless of our situation our humbugs will turn to hallelujahs. Her is how:

– We should focus on memories that bring joy. – Secondly, let the Living Lord touch and redeem

the painful memories that we might have… That healing takes time and effort on our part but we have the Champion of Redemption and Salvation working with us.

• Thirdly, let’s learn a rather simple lesson from Mary. She didn’t sit in her room tweeting on social media or face-booking – she sought out help and went to be with Elizabeth who understood the predicament for she was expecting a miracle child of her own.

• They provided each other with encouragement, joy and comfort. Mary gave one to the most beautiful expression – we call it the Magnificat:

• Luke 1:46-55 (The Message) 46-55 And Mary said, I’m bursting with God-news; I’m dancing the song of my Savior God.God took one good look at me, and look what happened— I’m the most fortunate woman on earth!What God has done for me will never be forgotten, the God whose very name is holy, set apart from all others. His mercy flows in wave after wave on those who are in awe before him. He bared his arm and showed his strength, scattered the bluffing braggarts. He knocked tyrants off their high horses, pulled victims out of the mud. The starving poor sat down to a banquet; the callous rich were left out in the cold. He embraced his chosen child, Israel; he remembered and piled on the mercies, piled them high.It’s exactly what he promised, beginning with Abraham and right up to now.

HOW CAN WE CULTIVATE JOY?•Begin by taking some quiet moments to reflect on God’s Glory Sightings – Answered prayers, times when God has blessed you, people like Old Fezzwig whom God brought into your life to make a difference.• Block out time times for celebrations:– A surprise date with your spouse. – Special time with the kids– Do something fun with good friends

• Find a partner that will help you remember the joyful memories. Someone that you can pray with, bake cookies with, make something out of wood with so that you are creating new memories.

 

• Lastly, if you know someone going through a difficult time or may not have the blessings that you do ask God to show you ways to bless that person. Do something unexpected to bring joy to another person. Joy is even sweeter when it is shared.