I have a small plaque on my desk that I’m particularly fond of. It reads: Joy: gladness not based on circumstances. Although not scripture, these words are steeped in truth, as genuine joy is not connected to happenings, individuals, seasons of life or personal happiness. Rather, biblical joy is an internal joy that originated with God and is experienced only through Him.

Christmas is a celebration of joy, exceedingly great joy to be specific. This is a highly specified category of joy in response to the Messiah’s coming to earth. Just like hope, peace and love are intrinsic to God’s character, so also joy is not something God does but rather something God is. He is joy, and through the life of Jesus, tangible joy was made manifest to the world.

Joy to the world the Lord has come, let earth receive her King!

Our first introduction to joy in connection with Jesus began with His nativity. Included in the Christmas narratives are individual stories showcasing joy in response to the coming of God’s Son to earth. The first of these accounts is found in the gospel of Luke, recorded in the story of Mary and Elizabeth. Although short on content, this story is long on message, rich in meaning and worthy of contemplation.

The story opens with young Mary paying a visit to her elderly aunt, Elizabeth. Both women are with child, both pregnancies are miraculous and highly unexpected, and both women are carrying children that will make an eternal impact on the world. The similarities stop here, however, as only one woman is a virgin, impregnated by the Holy Spirit, and carrying the Son of God!

While Mary had been previously informed of God’s miraculous plan through an angelic messenger, Elizabeth had received no such visit to prepare her for any of the recent mysterious happenings in her life. In the past six months of her life, her predictable world had been marvelously rocked with the news of an extremely late in life pregnancy, confused by a husband who is unexplainably mute, and delightfully surprised by her virgin niece who is carrying the Messiah! Apart from her husband’s inability to communicate, this was all outstanding news indeed. At the same time it would be a lot for any woman, at any age to process. And because of this, God in His grace prepared Elizabeth to respond confidentially by filling her with a spirit of joy!

I distinctly remember the first time I felt my baby during pregnancy. It was a wonderful reminder of the miraculous life forming and growing inside of me. But what Elizabeth experienced in her womb with unborn baby John, was next level amazing! At the sound of Mary’s voice, the mother of the Messiah, Elizabeth’s baby leaped within her and immediately she was filled with the Holy Spirit. This exuberant joy then overflowed into a prophetic pronouncement that Elizabeth spoke over Mary …

You’re so blessed among women, and the babe in your womb, also blessed! And why am I so blessed that the mother of my Lord visits me? The moment the sound of your greeting entered my ears, the babe in my womb skipped like a lamb for sheer joy. Blessed woman, who believed what God said, believed every word would come true!”
Luke 1:39-45 (MSG)

If you’ve ever spent time with someone that is truly joyful, then you are aware that joy is contagious. And this is exactly what happened to Mary, as following Elizabeth’s outburst of inspired proclamation, she also burst forth with a prophetic prose of her own…

Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me.“
Luke 1:46-49 (NLT)

On a side note, there’s no way Mary could have ever known that her spontaneous joy-filled song, originally sung for an audience of one, would someday be called, The Magnificat and would be recited and read by multitudes throughout the ages!

In closing, the story of Mary and Elizabeth is a beautiful illustration enabling us to see the spirit of joy on display in the lives of two individuals selected by God to play a significant role in the Christmas narrative. Elizabeth and Mary were favored, chosen by Yahweh for His plan and purpose. Yet with this high distinction would also come times of confusion, loneliness, trials and sadness as they raised their sons.

Eventually John would leave the comforts of home and relocate to the wilderness in fulfillment of his radical calling. Although Elizabeth more than likely never witnessed this, in the end John the Baptist would die by beheading in prison.

In time, Mary also would release Jesus as He pursued His earthly mission, and sadly would one day watch in horror, as her perfect Son died on a cross for the sins of the world.

And it is for these reasons that I believe that the spirit of joy that these women initially experienced together during their pregnancies would have continued to empower and strengthen them throughout their journeys on earth. Truly, that is the joy that only comes from the Lord Himself!

God bless you friends!

May you be continually strengthened by the spirit of joy this Advent season!

These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
John 15:11 (ESV)

Extend grace to others! If you’ve been encouraged, strengthened, or edified by this week’s post, please consider sharing Grace Notes For You with a friend.

Reflection questions:

  • How would you describe biblical joy? How is this different from happiness?
  • How have you leaned into the power of joy during difficult seasons in your life?
  • Read Hebrews 12:2. Reflect upon the amazing standard Jesus has set for us regarding joy?
  • Who is someone in your life that you can encourage with a spirit of joy this Christmas season? What steps will you take to accomplish this?