Preschool
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given (Isaiah 9:6).
Great Joy
Memory Verses
Primary
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11).
Junior
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6).
Background Scripture: Matthew 2
Lesson Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12; Luke 2:10
Introduction
Are we experiencing the joy of salvation? Is joy a feeling? Am I as joyful as I ought to be? Why am I not joyful? Joy is defined as vibrant, energetic, cheerful, and confident; another definition is quietly expectant: trusting, restful, and patient. There seems to be a different ring between those two definitions; do they share the same root?
We need not bother seeking for joy apart from God. Seeking Him will lead us to being filled and complete. Joy is not found by seeking it alone but comes by first surrendering to God.
Key Verse
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11).
Lesson Scripture
Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
Studying the Lesson
It may be difficult to comprehend the darkness preceding Christ’s birth. Four hundred years is a long time. To find perspective, 400 years ago the Puritans were landing at Plymouth Rock. Our ability to look back with so much written history may make the most recent 400 years seem shorter. However, the 400 Silent Years was a long span of time in light of the fact that no new prophets were raised and God revealed nothing new to his people.
Israel was under Rome’s authority, and a heathen descendant of Esau governed the Jewish nation. The politicized priesthood no longer kept to the Aaronic line, and religion had become a tool of the powerful and shrewd. Who were the quiet believers toiling patiently, passing down the faith of their fathers to their children? The tares of unbelief flourished while fruits of faith waned. Light faded, vision dimmed, and the number of true believers dwindled as they continued to teach their children to wait for the prophesied Messiah.
Many thought they awaited the Messiah. Some believed they could help usher in the Messiah’s reign. Ignorance, apathy, unbelief, idolatry, and rebellion were rampant. In the darkness of waiting, how many were still mindful of God?
The light did dawn. The great joy that sprang up in the hearts of the waiting, true believers was inexpressible and incomprehensible. The shadow-filled, misty night of doubt gave way to the clear, shining morning. Looking at the disciples after Christ’s resurrection, especially after Pentecost, we see their joy as an affirmation of their belief. When the first streaks of light pierce the darkness, the revelation brings a current of joy. This great joy is not a self-affirming emotion nor a feeling of personal accomplishment but descends upon the waiting soul as an answer to the hope that possessed him while there was no tangible proof. The delight expressed by the wise men and announced by the angels embody the joy found in a soul finding light in that which was dark and obscure.
Practical Truths for Today
Joy is a reflection of God in a believer’s life. Joy springs unbidden from the broken heart that is convinced that what the Master does is good. We may speak of having joy or of a lack of joy, but in one sense, a Christian cannot claim joy. It is an attribute of God and a fruit of his Spirit. We must desire God, not a feeling—the Giver, not the gift. In surrender, God claims us, and in that relationship, joy matures.
Choosing God means choosing to be content with what He gives and with his leading of my life. Choosing to trust, commit, surrender, be content, and die to self is choosing God. We choose to know, experience, and trust Jesus. The fruit of this is joy and is a result of being in the presence of God. “In thy presence is fulness of joy” (Ps. 16:11). It is not a result of good works that we cultivate.
As we become accountable and as we grow older, we try to navigate the emotions and difficulties that life places upon us. We become acquainted with burdens; God calls, inviting us to surrender our guilts, fears, sins, and inabilities to Him. He asks for our ideas, dreams, goals, and assets. In giving up and reaching out, in acceptance and in faith in Christ’s work on the cross, we realize God’s salvation. We relinquish control of our life to accept God’s authority and control. Peace enters our souls, and we realize our utter unworthiness. Joy springs up in our hearts, and we are lost in the wonder of the Lord. We cannot clearly explain the process by which God’s joy floods the heart; it is a miracle.
We enjoy God’s relationship with us and find it to be like a beautiful, secret garden that thrills, surprises, and amazes us. He fills our lives with goodness.
Why would we ever turn from this joy? Given the opportunity, Satan will twist even good and holy things to our downfall. How do we allow walking and talking with God to become drudgery or think of approaching Him as a duty? When we take our eyes from God and look at ourselves and our surroundings, we grow disillusioned. With our eyes on God, there is no duty or drudgery; there is a holy awe.
Following are some of the ways we allow our joy to be taken from us.
Comparison is anti-God and destroys joy. By comparing, my eyes are on others, and I am viewing myself in relation to them. God wants our attention and focus. Carnal expectations can dilute God’s joy in life. An example of this could be a preconceived idea of where I want to be financially at a certain point in life.
Negative thinking kills joy and is an act of rebellion. Being helplessly entrapped in negativity is a consequence of having allowed it to hold more power than Christ in my heart. Doubt is a rebellion against trust. The voice of doubt is convincing, deceitful, and wrong. Doubt measures ability by self, while hope and trust measure ability by God. Hope believes, accepts, and allows God’s joy to prosper.
We are all aware of distractions in our lives. Our devices can divert our attention from God. As we keep our gaze heavenward, God’s joy has free course through our lives.
Joy comes at the price of Jesus’s blood and the death of our pride. Let us cleanse our lives of that which hinders God’s joy and allow humility of mind to channel joy through us. “Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind” (Phil. 2:2).
Sincere praise to God and the true welling of joy does not spring forth in times when all seems well so much as in times when all seems wrong. (Even the pagan will praise his god when all seems well.) To be convinced and believe in a good and faithful heavenly Father in times of adversity, persecution, or loneliness is a fruit of God’s Spirit living within. This requires a voluntary crucifying of self; brokenness is fertile soil for God’s Spirit to grow and for us to express joyful praise.
There is a time of patient joy for today, but there will be a time of greater joy yet to come. Knowing that the time of eternal happiness is real and approaching gives joy today. Harvest joy comes when the wait is over, the risk completely taken away, and the bounty safely collected. In a military campaign, the joy of victory is always after the long, grim fight is over.
Questions
- Where should we go when joy is missing? Do we look inside or reach out?
- What are some unrealistic concepts of Christian joy?
- Have we a responsibility to encourage joy in others?
- Discuss: Organizing activity events are necessary for the youth to maintain their joy.
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).