Yesterday, we lit the third Advent candle, the candle of joy. Joy is a state of delight and well being that results from knowing and serving God. We do not make ourselves joyful so much as we experience joy as we encounter God’s presence in our lives.

In the Bible, there are almost 200 references to joy. Add in the act of rejoicing and you get another 150 references. God is joyful. He rejoices over his creative works (Psalm 104:31) and rejoices over his people (Isaiah 65:18). In Luke 15, Jesus tells us three stories that each culminate in God rejoicing over sinners who repent.

Joy is one of the key characteristics of the Christian. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit’s presence in our lives. Throughout the pages of scripture, we are called to rejoice in God. That is, we are called to express our joy in praise and adoration of our Lord.

Key verses about joy:

• “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” – Psalm 16:11.
• “For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy” – Psalm 92:4.
• “Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth” – Psalm 100:1.
• “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” – Isaiah 35:10.
• “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people” – Luke 2:10.
• “So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy” – John 16:22.
• “And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit” – Acts 13:52.
• “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” – Romans 14:17.
• “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near” – Philippians 4:4-5.
• “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy” – 1 Peter 1:8.
• “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready” – Revelation 19:7.