Barbra Gentry-Pugh

The Joy of Knowing The Savior

December 28, 2025

^“But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; or today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11 (NASB)

“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.” Romans 15:13 (ESV)

“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)

As we come to the close of 2025, we pause, not just to reflect on what has passed, but to remember who has carried us and provided Joy in the midst of our journey! Joy is not the absence of hardship; it is the presence of God in the midst of it. And the celebration of Christmas reminds us that Joy entered the world because Jesus did!

The hymn Joy to the World reminds us that Jesus brought Joy at His first coming, and He will bring Joy again when He returns as King of kings and Lord of lords. His first coming brought salvation; His second will bring restoration and reign. Until then, we live between promise and fulfillment, anchored in hope.

Joy to The World, The Lord is Come!
Let Earth receive her King. Let every heart prepare Him room
And Heaven and nature sing, And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing

Joy to the Earth, the Savior reigns. Let all their songs employ
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy

He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness and wonders of His love
And wonders of His love And wonders, wonders, of His love

What a promise! God rejoices over His people. Not because life was perfect. Not because we have done everything right. But because He is with us. Joy was not reserved for a select few. It was announced for all people, for the weary, the grieving, the hopeful, and the hurting. Joy then ~ and Joy still! When the angel announced Christ’s birth in Luke 2:10, the message was clear: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great Joy that will be for all the people!

There is no exact difference between happiness and Joy. Both involve emotions, both are pleasurable feelings, and both are mentioned in Scripture in passages that equate the two. However, Joy is not the same as happiness. Happiness depends on circumstances. Joy depends on Christ. David understood this truth. Even in seasons of sorrow, he discovered that Joy flows from God’s presence, not life’s ease. The early church knew this as well. Wherever the gospel spread, Joy followed because forgiveness was offered, lives were changed, and hope was restored. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit.

A dictionary definition of happiness is “a state of well-being; a pleasurable or satisfying experience.” A definition of the word rejoice, related to the word Joy, is “to feel great delight; to be glad.” Depending on the translation, the Bible uses the words happy and happiness about 30 times, while joy and rejoice appear over 300 times.

Therefore, Joy That Grows From Within: The Word of God reminds us that JOY is not something we manufacture; it is something the Holy Spirit produces within us. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, Joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” (NLT)

Joy Grows as we Remain Connected to Christ. As we end this year, we are invited to release what we cannot control and remain in the One who holds all things together. John 15:4-5 says, “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.” (NLT)

Joy Grows Out of Real Worship. Worship involves both celebration and confession. The God of the Bible encourages Joy! God does not intend for religion to be only meditation and introspection. He also wants us to celebrate. Serious reflection and immediate confession of sin are essential, of course. But these should be balanced by celebrating who God is and what He has done for His people. I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is filled with joy, and my mouth shouts his praises! My body rests in safety, Psalm 16:8-9.

Joy Comes From Being In God’s Presence. David’s heart was glad he had found the secret to Joy. As previously mentioned, true Joy is far deeper than happiness; we can feel Joy despite our deepest troubles. Happiness is temporary because it is based on external circumstances, but Joy is lasting because it is based on God’s presence within us. As we contemplate His daily presence, we will find contentment. As we understand the future He has for us, we will experience Joy. Don’t base your life on circumstances, but on God. Again, when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, Joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here, there is no conflict with the law, Galatians 5:22-23.

Be Mindful that a Wounded or Rebellious Heart Produces Diseased Fruit and cannot produce Joy! When the heart carries:

Unforgiveness → bitterness

Shame → withdrawal

Fear → control

Trauma → distrust

The fruit will reflect the root condition, even when intentions are good.

“A bad tree cannot bear good fruit.” Matthew 7:18

Joy Comes From Having The Holy Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is the spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit in us. The Spirit produces these character traits that are found in Christ. They are the by-products of Christ’s control – we can’t obtain them by trying to get them without His help. If we want the fruit of the Spirit to grow in us, we must join our lives to HIS, John 15:4-5. We must know Him, love Him, remember Him, and imitate Him. As a result, we will fulfill the intended purpose of the law: to love God and our neighbors. Which of these qualities do you want the Spirit to produce in you?

Always be full of Joy in the Lord. I say it again-rejoice! Philippians 4:4

We Can Be Joyful Despite Our Circumstances. It seems strange that a man in prison would be telling a church to rejoice. But Paul’s attitude teaches us an important lesson: our inner attitudes do not have to reflect our outward circumstances. The Apostle Paul was full of joy because he knew that no matter what happened to him, Jesus Christ was with him. Several times in this letter, Paul urged the Philippians to be joyful, probably because they needed to hear this. It’s easy to get discouraged about unpleasant circumstances or to take unimportant events too seriously. If you haven’t been joyful lately, you may not be looking at life from the right perspective.

Ultimate Joy comes from Christ dwelling within us. Christ is near, and at His second coming, we will fully realize this ultimate Joy. He who lives within us will fulfill his final purposes for us.

HEART CHECK: Examining the Source of My Joy As this year ends, ask yourself:
Where has God sustained me? Where is He inviting me to trust Him more deeply?

As this year comes to a close, it is important to pause, not to judge ourselves, but to gently examine our hearts before God. Scripture reminds us that “above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” Proverbs 4:23.

Take a moment to sit quietly with the following questions. Allow the Holy Spirit to speak truth with grace.

HEARTCHECK QUESTIONS:

Where has your Joy been rooted this year, in circumstances, people, outcomes, or in Christ?
What situations, disappointments, or losses have diminished your Joy?
Have I allowed bitterness, resentment, or unprocessed grief to take residence in my heart?
In what areas have I been waiting for circumstances to change before choosing Joy?
What would it look like to trust God with what you cannot fix, control, or understand?
Is there an area where God is inviting me to exchange heaviness for His Joy? Pause and reflect:

Joy does not deny pain; however, it does refuse to let pain define the future. Ask the Lord to reveal anything that has been competing with His joy in your heart.

As this year ends, ask yourself:
Where has God sustained me? Where is He inviting me to trust Him more deeply?

HEART CHALLENGE: Choosing Joy as an Act of Faith. Joy is not something we wait for, it is something we choose, by faith, because of who God is and what He has promised. As you prepare to step into a new year, consider this challenge:

Your Joy Commitment

~ I choose to anchor my Joy in Christ, not in changing circumstances.

~ I will release what I cannot carry into God’s capable hands.

~ I will intentionally guard my heart against bitterness, comparison, and complaint.

~ I will practice gratitude daily, even when life feels unfinished.

~ I will remain connected to Christ, trusting that joy flows from abiding in Him.

Write down one specific burden, disappointment, or unresolved issue you are carrying. Offer it to God in prayer and intentionally choose to trust Him with it. Ask Him to replace heaviness with His Joy. “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10

A Joyful Heart for the Year Ahead. Joy is a gift, freely given through Christ. And as we step into a new year, we are called to choose Joy over bitterness, gratitude over complaint, and trust over fear.

A JOYFUL HEART: A Joyful Heart is a heart that decides to have a Joyful heart for the Year Ahead. The Apostle Paul reminds us in the 5^th chapter of 1 Thessalonians, verses 5:16-18, which says “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. God’s Joy is different from the world’s Joy, a Joy that cannot be taken away, must be received and chosen daily! Joy is a gift freely given through Christ. And as we step into a new year, we are called to choose Joy over bitterness, gratitude over complaint, and trust over fear!

PRAYER: Father God, thank You for Your authoritative, inerrant, and inspired Word that gives us clear instructions on how to have Your Joy! Today, we choose Joy not because everything went as planned, but because You are still God, and You are still good. Thank You for sending Jesus, our Savior, the source of our Joy and the anchor of our hope. As we close this year, we thank You not only for what You have done, but for who You are. Restore our Joy where it has been dimmed. Renew our hearts as we prepare to walk into a new season with You. Thank You for Your presence in every season, both joyful and difficult. You have been faithful, even when life was uncertain, and our hearts were weary. Help us to always abide in You, trust Your promises and purposes, and live anchored in Your Joy, no matter what lies ahead, in the Precious, Powerful, and Preeminent Name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.