Christmas Midnight Service | December 25, 2023
Joyfulness: Choosing Joy
ray@crossroadsny.org
Nehemiah 8:10 / CSB, “…the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Joyfulness is the quality of being blessed and happy independent of circumstances.
1.
Luke 2:8-11 / ESV, “In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”
Proverbs 17:22 / ESV, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
Romans 15:13 / ESV, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
2.
Luke 2:12-16 / ESV, “This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: 14 Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people he favors! 15 When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger.”
Hebrews 2:4a / ESV, “And God confirmed the message by giving signs…”