In this message we explore how the Bible presents a far more honest—and hopeful—picture of Christmas than cultural nostalgia allows. From the grief surrounding Jesus’ birth to the cries of God’s people in exile, Scripture reminds us that Christ entered a broken world, not a Hallmark one. True joy, therefore, is not a fragile feeling dependent on circumstances, but a resilient, Spirit-given gift rooted in God’s unchanging character and saving work. This message calls us to receive and practice a deeper joy—fostered in the Spirit and shared with others, and that ultimately points us to Jesus as the only source of joy strong enough to sustain us in every season of life.