Advent Joy

Joy is something we can obtain all the time or at anytime.

We shouldn’t get it confused with happiness.

Joy comes from within and this is from God Himself.
 
Like when parents of a newborn baby are filled with an unexplainable joy.
Joy also fills us when we invite Jesus into our hearts.
When we are baptized in Him.
When we witness two becoming one at a wedding, we see the joy in the couple.
When we focus and dwell on the Lord, we feel joy.

Happiness comes and goes.
   It’s so exciting when we get a new car.
  When we get a promotion or raise we’re happy we’ll have more money to pay our bills and buy more stuff.
  For many weeks, or years, we look forward with happiness to that longed-for vacation.

But, the car will get old.
In time the promotion or raise won’t be enough.
After a week or two the vacation will be over.
And the happiness disappears.

Happiness comes from external circumstances.
But joy comes from God through Jesus.

We can always have joy in many different circumstances.
But it’s hard to be happy in difficult times.

Joy seems to include relationships each time. Happiness, not so much.

So, to grab hold of joy in our lives, look to the One who promises joy along with peace and love and hope.

When we walk with Jesus we can obtain both joy and happiness at the same time but happiness will come and go.

Joy remains.