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I used to think that joy was something I could attain—something that came from a perfect day or a special moment. But as I’ve grown in my faith, I’ve realized joy isn’t about chasing highs or perfect moments; it’s about the unshakable presence of Christ, who walks with us through every season. Whether it’s the shepherds’ awe-filled moment under the stars, Paul’s choice to rejoice even in chains, or the overflowing hope we find in Christ, joy invites us to lift our eyes to the Giver of every good and perfect gift.

I got to thinking about joy and how it’s different from happiness. Happiness is found in the world around us—a peaceful morning, a thoughtful word, or a sweet memory. But joy? Joy runs through us. It’s that steady confidence we have in God, even when things feel uncertain. It’s knowing that no matter what, He’s faithful and His promises are sure.

Joy has a beautiful way of spilling over, doesn’t it? It’s not meant to be kept tucked away; it’s meant to be shared—to light up the lives of others and point them to the One who fills us with joy, just as the angels did on that first Christmas night when they declared, “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10, NIV).

As we step into the weekend, let’s remember a few things about joy:

• Joy is a choice: Like Paul in Philippians, we can choose to rejoice even when life is difficult.
• Joy is rooted in Christ: It’s not tied to our circumstances. It’s anchored in the unchanging love of our Savior.
• Joy overflows: When we’re filled with the joy of the Lord, it naturally spills out to bless others.
• Joy strengthens us: Nehemiah 8:10 tells us, “The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Why? Because it steadies us through our trials and gives us the courage to press on.

If joy feels distant right now, let me remind you of this—joy isn’t something we muster up on our own. It’s a gift, poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. All we need to do is draw close to Jesus, the source of our joy.

This Week’s Printable

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