Elf

Joy isn’t DEPENDENT on our circumstances.

“Joy is the positive confidence I feel from knowing and trusting God regardless of the circumstances.” — Pastor Ed Young, Author

Galatians 5:22 “the fruit of the Spirit is…joy."

2 Corinthians 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (NIV)

Hebrews 12:2 keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross,

Luke 1:46-49“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. (CSB)

Joy comes from KNOWING Him.

John 10:14,15 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. (NIV)

God is a God of Joy which is why we can find our joy in Him.

Psalm 16:11 In His presence is fullness of Joy

“Following after God is the desire of happiness; to reach God is happiness itself.” — Augustine

Philippians 3:8 I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them as dung, so that I may gain Christ

Joy can be CONTAGIOUS.

Luke 2:17,18 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished.

“Christmas is the greatest day in the whole wide world...The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear.” Buddy the Elf