Overwhelming Joy…
The Wonder Of Christmas
Pastor Mark Evans
December 6, 2023

Overwhelming Joy…

Now at this time Mary arose and hurried to the hill country, to a city of Judah (Judea), and she entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, her baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered by Him. And she exclaimed loudly, “Blessed [worthy to be praised] are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed [spiritually fortunate and favored by God] is she who believed and confidently trusted that there would be a fulfillment of the things that were spoken to her [by the angel sent] from the Lord.”
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies and exalts the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. For He has looked [with loving care] on the humble state of His maidservant; For behold, from now on all generations will count me blessed and happy and favored by God! For He who is mighty has done great things for me; And holy is His name [to be worshiped in His purity, majesty, and glory]. And His mercy is upon generation after generation toward those who [stand in great awe of God and] fear Him. He has done mighty deeds with His [powerful] arm; He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their heart. He has brought down rulers from their thrones, and exalted those who were humble. He has filled the hungry with good things; and sent the rich away empty-handed. He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, just as He promised to our fathers, to Abraham and to his descendants forever.” And Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months, and then returned to her home. Luke 1:39-56

1. The Joy of

… Luke 1:39-45


Mary’s Journey: After the angel Gabriel’s astonishing announcement, Mary embarks on a journey to visit her relative, Elizabeth. This journey signifies her eagerness to connect with someone who understands the miraculous nature of her own situation.
Elizabeth’s Joy: As Mary greets Elizabeth, we witness an incredible response. Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit, and her baby, John the Baptist, leaps in her womb. Elizabeth’s joy overflows as she exclaims, “Blessed [worthy to be praised] are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!” (Luke 1:42).

The Power of Connection: This encounter highlights the power of meaningful connections in our lives. In times of joy or adversity, having someone who understands and supports us can bring overwhelming joy. It reminds us that we are not alone in our journey of faith.

Connection With The Right People Brings Confirmation: When Mary arrives and greets Elizabeth, the unborn John leaps in her womb, and Elizabeth is filled with the Holy Spirit. This miraculous confirmation strengthens Mary’s faith and assures her that what the angel had spoken was true. It is a reminder that God often sends confirmation and encouragement to those who step out in faith.


The church humbles us. It’s one of the few places in our society today where we sit with rich and poor, young and old, black and white, educated and uneducated, and are all focused on the same object. It’s one of the few places where we share the problems and hopes of our lives with people we may not even know. It is one of the few places where we sing as a crowd. And although the church needs its outsiders to prevent it from drifting into dull conformity, the outsider needs the church to stop them from drifting into individualized religion.


2. The of Joy in Mary’s Song… Luke 1:46-55


Mary’s Magnificat: The passage contains Mary’s song of praise, often called the Magnificat. In this beautiful hymn, Mary’s joy overflows as she magnifies the Lord for His wondrous deeds in her life.

The Source of Joy: Mary’s joy is rooted in her deep relationship with God. She recognizes that true joy doesn’t come from external circumstances but from God’s presence and faithfulness. Her soul rejoices in God her Savior.

A Reminder of God’s Faithfulness: Mary’s song recalls God’s faithfulness to His promises and His concern for the lowly and humble. It reminds us that God’s faithfulness can fill our hearts with overwhelming joy.


3. Overwhelming Joy to Our Lives…


By Seeking Connection: We should actively seek meaningful connections with fellow believers who can share in our joys and sorrows. The Christian community is a source of overwhelming joy as we journey together in faith.

encourage and comfort one another and build up one another.. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

By Staying Rooted in God: Like Mary, our joy should be rooted in our relationship with God, not in our circumstances. When we find our joy in Him, it becomes a constant and unshakable presence in our lives.

By Magnifying God’s Faithfulness: We must recognize and magnify God’s faithfulness in our lives. Reflect on His past acts of love, mercy, and provision, and let gratitude and joy overflow from our hearts.

In Luke’s account, we have witnessed a profound encounter between Mary and Elizabeth, marked by overwhelming joy. This joy stems from their deep connection, their rootedness in God, and their recognition of His faithfulness.


As we apply these lessons to our own lives, may we seek meaningful connections in our Christian community, find our joy in God and God alone, and may we learn to magnify His faithfulness in our daily walk of faith.

True and overwhelming joy comes not from our circumstances but from the God who loves us and walks with us through every season of life. Let us embrace this joy and share it with the world. Amen.


Digging Deeper On The APP

Are You Joy-Deprived?
The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows]. 
John 10:10
Your lungs need oxygen to thrive, your body needs food to thrive, and your soul needs joy to thrive. How can you tell when someone is joy-deprived? By how they look and what they say.
One Bible teacher says: ‘When I began to understand John 10:10…I realized the enemy had deceived me into thinking that enjoying things was not important…I had come to believe – falsely, of course – that if I was having fun, something was wrong…I must not be working hard enough! I never saw my father enjoy life and it seemed to aggravate him when others did, so I just grew up thinking something must be wrong with it. I can remember being told to be quiet when I laughed out loud…The seventeenth-century…[writer] Madame Guyon said that the highest call for every child of God is to enjoy God. I remember what a heavy load lifted off of me the first time I read that…I was working so hard trying to please God that the thought of simply enjoying Him had not occurred to me at all. I had never heard of such a thing!…I had been a committed church member for over twenty years before I learned that God wanted me to enjoy Him and the life He had given me.’
Can you relate? If so, it’s time to make some changes in your life. Take a break without feeling guilty; you will be much more productive when you’re rested and refreshed. Recreation is not ‘unspiritual’ it’s essential to staying in balance. We live in a driven, stressed-out society, but you can change; you can be joyful if you choose to.
How Can I Experience Joy In My Christian Life?
Joy is something we all long for but that often seems difficult to grab hold of. Experiencing joy should be a part of every Christian’s life. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, produced by God’s work in us, and it is part of God’s will for us.
We know that even the most mature of God’s people experience periods of joylessness. For instance, Job wished he had never been born (Job 3:11). David prayed to be taken away to a place where he would not have to deal with reality (Psalm 55:6–8). Elijah, even after defeating 450 prophets of Baal with fire called down from heaven (1 Kings 18:16–46), fled into the desert and asked God to take his life (1 Kings 19:3–5). If these men struggled, how can we experience consistent joy in the Christian life?
The first thing is to realize that joy is a gift from God. The root word for joy in the Greek is chara, which is closely related with the Greek charis for “grace.” Joy is both a gift of God as well as a response to the gifts of God. Joy comes when we are aware of God’s grace and relish His favor.
With this in mind, it’s evident that one way to experience joy is to focus on God. Rather than dwelling on our difficulties or those things robbing our contentment, we can dwell on God. This is not to say we should deny our discontent or stuff negative emotions. Following the example of many of the psalmists, we can pour out our hearts to God. We can tell Him bluntly all the things that ail us. But then we submit those things to Him, remember who He is, and are happy in Him. Psalms 3, 13, 18, 43, and 103 are good examples.
The book of Philippians has much to say about joy, even though Paul wrote the epistle from prison. Philippians 4:4–8 gives some guidelines for experiencing joy in the Christian life: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! … The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” Here we see the importance of praising God, remembering that He is near, praying about our worries, and keeping our minds focused on the good things of God. We can experience joy when we intentionally praise. David wrote that the study of God’s Word can bring us joy (Psalm 19:8). We experience joy by communing with God through prayer. And we experience joy by keeping our focus on godly things rather than on difficult circumstances or discontentment.
Jesus also gave some instructions regarding joy. In John 15 He talked about abiding in Him and obeying Him. He said, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:9–11). One of the keys to joy is living in obedience to God.
Another way to experience joy in the Christian life is through community. God gave Elijah rest and then sent a man, Elisha, to help him (1 Kings 19:19–21). We, too, need friends that we can share our hurts and pains with (Ecclesiastes 4:9–12). Hebrews 10:19–25 says, “Brothers and sisters … let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Because of the grace of God, we know we can approach God confidently in prayer (Hebrews 10:19). We know we are cleansed of our sin (Hebrews 10:22). And we are joined into a new community, a family of believers. With our fellow believers, we hold firm to our faith, trusting in the character of God. We also encourage one another. Christians do not belong to this world (John 17:14–16; Philippians 3:20). We long to be with God, finally restored to our original design. Life can be lonely and discouraging. Others help remind us of truth, carry our burdens with us, and strengthen us to continue on (Galatians 6:10; Colossians 3:12–14).
Joy is meant to be a hallmark of the Christian life. It is a fruit of the Holy Spirit and a gift of God. We best receive this gift when we focus on the truth of who God is, commune with Him through prayer, and rely on the community of believers He has provided.
Can I Find Joy In The Midst Of Trials?
James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” This is the very first thing James writes in his letter after his salutation. Why? Because of its import. Many Christians think once they’ve made that decision for Christ that everything will fall into place and life will be that proverbial bowl of cherries. And when trials and tough times come upon them or continue, they begin to question, “why?” Wondering how they could possibly endure horrible circumstances and consider it joy.
Peter also tackles this subject of joy through trials. “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1:6-9).
In both of these passages, we see the instruction of what we should do. ‘Consider it pure joy…’ ‘In this you greatly rejoice…’ Why? Because trials make us stronger. The James passage clearly states that the testing of our faith produces perseverance. And the Peter passage states that our faith, which is priceless, will be proved genuine and result in praise to God. But how? How can we find joy in the midst of all the junk, hardships, and painful circumstances?
First, we need to understand that the joy the world gives is not the same as the joy the Spirit gives. Worldly joy or happiness comes and goes as often as waves hitting the shore. It isn’t something you can cling to when you’ve lost a loved one or are facing bankruptcy. The Spirit’s joy or happiness, on the other hand, can stay with you for the long haul. For the believer, the fruit of the Spirit, including joy, is like a bottomless well of water—there’s always an abundant supply. Even in the darkest days, when sadness, grief, and loss may threaten to overwhelm you, God’s joy is there.
Second, we need to understand that God’s joy cannot be taken away. Oh, you might think that it’s gone—that the hands of misfortune have snatched it from you—but it’s not. As believers, we are promised the constant presence of the Holy Spirit. We are promised His joy. Just as our salvation is assured through Jesus’ one-time sacrifice for sin. Jesus’ words in John 15:11, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” Other examples, Acts 13:52, “And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.” Acts 16:34, “The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God—he and his whole family.”
Third, we need to stop wallowing, whining, and complaining and grab onto God’s joy. Just like salvation, joy is a free and perfect gift from Him, and we must reach out and accept that gift. Grab onto it. Like a lifeline. Choose joy. Over bitterness, anger, and sorrow. Make a decision to choose joy every day. No matter what. Look at these great examples in Scripture: “Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability” (2 Corinthians 8:2-3). “You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 1:6). “Be joyful always” (1 Thessalonians 5:16). “You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions” (Hebrews 10:34). And the best illustration of all, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).
All through Scripture we see the persecution of the church, the trials and hardships that believers have faced. The challenge then is to truly learn how to consider each trial joy.
This topic is very near and dear to my heart because it is a lesson I’m relearning each and every day. It is easy to see the problems, the dark clouds, the negative side of a situation. But you know what I have discovered? God’s joy really is there. You can consider each trial joy, you can greatly rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory even when you feel like you are face-first in the mud puddle. You can endure whatever circumstances are making you quake in your boots right now. If you have been saved through faith in Jesus Christ—you have all you need.
Grab onto God’s joy.

What is the Magnificat?
The Magnificat is Mary’s prayer/poem/hymn of praise found in Luke 1:46–55.
In a style reminiscent of Old Testament poetry and song, Mary praises the Lord in alignment with this structure:
Mary rejoices that she has the privilege of giving birth to the promised Messiah (Luke 1:46–48).
She glorifies God for His power, holiness, and mercy (Luke 1:49–50).
Mary looks forward to God transforming the world through the Messiah. 
The proud will be brought low, and the humble will be lifted up; the hungry will be fed, and the rich will go without (Luke 1:51–53).
Mary exalts God because He has been faithful to His promise to Abraham (Luke 1:54–55; see God’s promise to Abraham in Gen 12:1–3).
Luke 1 records many of the events preliminary to the birth of Jesus, leading up to the famous passage in Luke 2. The Magnificat is part of this introductory section of Luke.
Luke 1:5–24 foretells the coming of John the Baptist, who is to prepare the way for the Messiah. An angel appears to the priest Zechariah while he is performing his duties in the temple and tells him that he will have a son whom he is to name John. This is shocking news, since Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, are childless. Elizabeth had been barren and is well past child-bearing years. Elizabeth also happens to be the cousin of Mary.
In Luke 1:26–38 an angel appears to Mary and explains that, even though she is a virgin, she is to give birth to the Messiah. While Mary expresses great faith, no doubt she also had a lot of questions and some uncertainty, as this was something completely different from anything that had ever happened to any other human being. Perhaps she wondered how her parents and Joseph, her fiancé, would respond. (We know from Matthew 1 that this was an issue!) So, perhaps wanting to talk to someone outside of her immediate family circle, Mary decided to visit her cousin Elizabeth in the Judean hill country.
Luke 1:39–45 records the meeting of Mary and Elizabeth. Elizabeth, who is about 6 months pregnant at this time, is filled with the Holy Spirit and reports that, the moment she heard Mary’s voice, her unborn baby (John) leaped in her womb. Elizabeth then goes on to bless Mary.
In Luke 1:46–55 Mary responds to Elizabeth’s blessing with what is now commonly called the Magnificat. Some Bibles will label this passage the “Song of Mary,” although the Bible does not report that she sang it. (The Magnificat is poetic and is now sung at various services during the Advent/Christmas season, especially in churches with a liturgical tradition.) The first line of Mary’s response is translated variously:
• NASB: My soul exalts the Lord
• NIV: My soul glorifies the Lord
• KJV: My soul doth magnify the Lord
• ESV: My soul magnifies the Lord
The Latin translation of Mary’s response begins with the word magnificat, which simply means “magnify” (or “exalt,” “glorify,” etc.). The Magnificat is a poem of praise to God, praising Him for His blessing to Mary and His faithfulness to Israel. The Magnificat also highlights a series of reversals in which the proud are humbled and the humble are exalted—not the least being a poor young girl who will be the mother of the Messiah.
Here is the text of the Magnificat, as found in the English Standard Version:
My soul magnifies the Lord,
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm; He has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate;
He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to His offspring forever.
Commentators have pointed out that the Magnificat is full of quotations of and allusions to passages in the Old Testament. Many of the truths Mary expresses find a counterpart in Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel 2:1–10. The Magnificat also foreshadows many themes that are addressed later in the book of Luke and in the ministry of Jesus.