Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And heav’n and nature sing …
Isaac Watts, 1719

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” Luke 2:8–11 NLT

• Joy may be associated with

, but it’s

Reveal Answer

in me right now!

• Joy may be read about in the

, but it’s not a reality for me.

People try to create joy by:

1. Seeking to

   Reveal Answer

2. Seeking to

   Reveal Answer

Joy is the evidence of a

which leads to a healthy understanding of

Reveal Answer

.

How to have joy this Christmas even when challenges arise:

• I will claim my

Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33 NLT

• I will not be

by difficult experiences

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 1 Peter 4:12–13 NIV

• I will remember that I will be

both now and in heaven

God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way. Matthew 5:11–12 NLT

• I will consider my difficulties as

opportunities

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. Romans 5:3–5 NLT

• I will know my faith in God is

Be glad about this, even though it may now necessary for you to be sad for a while because of the many kinds of trials you suffer. Their purpose is to prove that your faith is genuine. Even gold, which can be destroyed, is tested by fire; and so your faith, which is much more precious than gold, must also be tested, so that it may endure. Then you will receive praise and glory and honor on the Day when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1 Peter 1:6–7 GNT

• I will

when the heat is on

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 NLT

Memory Verse

Always be joyful. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 NLT

Next Steps

I will use the Invest & Invite cards to pray for and invite others to Emmanuel.

I will volunteer to serve as needed for Christmas Eve.

I will register for the next Base below.

My Notes