Joy
Part of Fables, Stables, and Tables—Christmas 2023
December 17, 2023

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Luke 2:1-20 (New International Version)
2:1 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while[a] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register.

4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

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 that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, 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 heaven,
and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

I. Downcast Days? (vv. 1-7)
• Life is hard, life is loss, and the world is in chaos but the

is real.
• We lose our joy when we the stories of our lives.
• Believers interpret the good and bad times by the of time.
• Joy understands that God’s plans are often found in our experiences.
II. Glory Days? (vv. 8-14)
• We all what we glory in.
• God invites us to our fear in exchange for joy.
• To “behold” someone is to not miss their worth in the .
• “ ” is God declaring in your crisis, “I’ve got this” and “I’ve got you”.
• Holidays are necessary _ to help us identify _disruptions_to what truly matters in life.
• The promise of peace and joy at Christmas is not due to less , , in your life. (Mt. 10:34-36, 24:6-13)
III. Gathering Days? (vv. 15-20)
• “Rejoice” means to cause in others.
• Joy is but happiness is .
• False joy, peace, and faith practice .
• Absence of joy is due to a lack of in your schedule to “behold” what is important due to glorying in lesser beauties.