The Birth of Joy

This blog post is Part 1 of a series entitled, "Joy Begins Here" by Pastor Jeffrey Dean Smith of Donelson First in Nashville, TN. 

Message Date: December 4, 2022

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The news of cancer. A broken relationship. The loss of a job. The end of a marriage. Disappointment. The betrayal of a friend. Death.  

Each of these statements represents very real, difficult, dark, and even possibly, for some, seemingly insurmountable life challenges.  

As I look around today, and as I think through conversations I have had with our best friends and with numerous people in my life over the past few weeks, I am burdened, truly burdened with the indescribable amount of loss and pain and a sense of hopelessness with which so many people are coping and living.  

I have our best friends on my mind today. I too have many of you on my mind today - - one who buried his father-in-law last week, one who buried her newborn daughter, one whose brother suddenly died of a heart attack and whose other brother just days later was killed in a tragic car accident. So much loss...  

I look out and see several who are dealing with the loss of a spouse, a broken marriage, a career that has not gone well, a wife and mother whose husband refuses to come to church, one who buried her sister this week, another who received the news that she has lung cancer, and yet another whose close friend attempted to commit suicide. So much loss...  

When dealing with such overwhelming circumstances, such pain, and such loss, I’ve struggled this week as I’ve read various passages in the Word of God such as this from Philippians 4:4 when the Apostle Paul wrote: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 

How does one rejoice while also being the recipient of pain, loss, agony, or regret?  

How do we as Christians rejoice...we know what God’s Word has to say about a God who made us, a God who loves us, a God who is always with us, a God who will never leave us or forsake us, a God who controls everything...yet...

Dare I believe there isn’t a person in this room nor joining us in worship today via our stream who isn’t dealing with some form of pain, loss, agony, or regret. Additionally, we now turn our attention to what is sure to be a very busy holiday season for us all. The holidays are a wonderful time of gathering, of friendships, of giving and of family. For many, this month is also an extremely busy, hectic, expensive, and stressful time of the year.   This is why I am most excited to begin this much-needed series with you: Joy Begins Here!  

Think about these questions:

What is joy? Do I have joy in my life? How do I experience joy when I am also experiencing loss or pain? If I do not have joy, is there something wrong with me?  

These are very real questions of which you have probably asked before and maybe even are asking today.  

We are going to tackle these questions and more over the next three weeks.  

Today we are also going to tackle some really important questions such as:  

What did the wise men say after they offered up their gifts of gold and frankincense? Wait, there's myrrh.  

What does Santa suffer from if he gets stuck in a chimney? Claus-trophobia!   

What is it called when a snowman has a temper tantrum? A meltdown.  

What reindeer game do reindeer play at sleepovers? Truth or deer.  

What’s every elf’s favorite type of music? Wrap!  

What happens if you eat Christmas decorations? You get tinsel-itis.  

What do Santa's elves learn in school? The elf-abet.    

Silly, yes! But I hope such silliness brings a little joy to your day.  

You know, there is a longing we each have as humans - - this longing is for...Joy.  

There is not a person here today who does not want joy in life.  

We each want joy. No one wants to experience pain. No one.  

Consider this: If you were to choose between a life blessed with wealth, but imprisoned in sorrow, or a life of tremendous financial challenge, but rich with joy, I am confident that you would choose...the money every time! Just kidding.  

I am confident, you would choose a life of joy. Would you not?  

You know this… Life is consumed with challenges. We all have them. And no matter how hard you and I work to avoid the challenges of life, such challenges always find us. This is a part of life. This is the reality of life in a marred world. And this most definitely is the reality of a life for the Christ follower. Jesus said in John 16:33: In this world, you will have trouble.   

Trouble (Greek) = anguish; affliction. Jesus understood what we as humans are to face.  

And I am convinced, listen...I am truly convinced that it is exactly this that we are to find so comforting about our Savior and His love for us! Jesus understood, and continues to understand, our anguish and affliction because He too faced the trouble of the world.  

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet he did not sin. Hebrews 4:15  

The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 16:11: 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.  

The word “joy” first appears in the Bible in the OT. We first read this Hebrew word as David is returning from killing the Philistine giant Goliath in 1 Samuel 18:6:  

When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. 1 Samuel 18:6  

The word joy appears in the Old Testament over 100 times. There are 12 different Hebrew translations for the word joy used in the Old Testament.  

When we read of joy in the Old Testament, the various Hebrew translations of the word joy each hold an obvious similarity. Each Hebrew word almost always refers to: Joy (Hebrew) = an external expression of excitement.  

In passage after passage, we read of Kings, prophets, and everyday normal people who are called, reminded or expected to express the joy they are experiencing with an external display of excitement. Joy, when mentioned in the Old Testament, is one of an external reaction of celebration and is a representation of a “good” that happens in one’s life.  

As I read many passages this week, comparing stories and the usage of these different Hebrew translations, I immediately thought of one of my favorite scenes from my very favorite “non-traditional” Christmas movie. Elf – Santa’s Coming!  

This is obviously quite the external expression of excitement! I want you to hold on to and think about this visual as you listen to these verses about joy:  

In Isaiah 65:19, the Prophet is speaking of a time when the nation of Israel will be restored and it’s people will once again be home.  

I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more. Isaiah 65:19  

Nehemiah said, go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10  

This joy of which Nehemiah speaks here is translated as an outward expression of cheerfulness and excitement.  

May your priests be clothed with your righteousness; may your faithful people sing for joy. Psalm 132:9  

Here again, we find the Psalmist refers to an external expression of God’s people so joyful they choose to express this joy with singing.  

In all, there are 102 expressions of such joy found throughout the pages of the Old Testament.  

Interestingly, when we arrive at the New Testament, we read of an entirely different joy! And I am convinced that it is of no coincidence that we are first introduced to this specific use of the Greek word for “joy” with the announcement of the birth of our Savior in Matthew 2:10.  

This “joy” of which we read is unlike any “joy” of which we have read prior to this moment - - the birth of Jesus Christ on that first Christmas morning!  

Matthew 2:1-8  

As we often do, we again need to pause and allow historical context to lead the way. Matthew’s main purpose in this part of the story of the birth of Jesus is to contrast the eagerness of the Magi to seek out and worship Jesus with the hostility of King Herod to seek Him too...but for an entirely different reason.  

Why is the King so hostile and deceptive? Well, King Herod had to know of the Old Testament prophecies in the scriptures which spoke of the coming Messiah. He knew that the Old Testament Scriptures, such as Micah 5:2 spoke of one who would come and rule:  

(Bethlehem E-fra-the) But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old,  from ancient times. Micah 5:2

King Herod was most likely 64 years of age when Jesus was born. He feared, probably for many years, that one day the prophecy which Micah wrote would come true. In his mind, the end result would be that he would lose everything..., especially the throne. We too know that King Herod was extremely paranoid. He had already murdered his favorite wife, Mariamme, her two sons, her brother, her mother, and her grandfather. He too, over a dispute about his will, disinherited and eventually murdered his own firstborn son.  

So when the Magi asks the King, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?”, scripture rightly stated that Herod was deeply disturbed.  

Notice who else is troubled. - - Matthew 2:3  

Why would “all of Jerusalem” too have been so troubled? Well, they probably knew that such a question from the Magi would result in more cruelty from Herod! And, in fact, this is exactly what happened. Herod had a reputation for killing at will. It is said that in his older age, the King became erratic and mentally unstable.  

Sadly very soon, the King would hand down the barbaric orders to execute all of Bethlehem’s young boys who were two years old and younger. Such an act was wholly consistent with the disarray into which the King of Judea had fallen.  

But nothing the King did or would do would stand in the way of what was about to happen!  

Notice that twice we read the star appears and leads the way of the Magi.  

See again the words of Matthew in Matthew 2:2.  

Magi first visit the capital city, because they most likely assume that this is the natural place for the king of the Jews to be born. After their conversation with the king, the star reappears.  

Matthew 2:9  

Notice scripture implies that the star moved along with the Magi as they traveled. And then it stops. It is here where we read for the first time a Greek word we have not yet seen in the Scriptures for the word “joy.”  

Matthew 2:10  

In the New Testament, the word joy appears approximately 60 times. The most prevalent appearance of the word “joy” is this very Greek word chara (ca-rah).  

This word is super unique to any other of the Hebrew and Greek translations of this word. And, listen church, its translation is one that should speak to each one of us as a people who wrestle, struggle, fail, and mourn in life as humans....which, is each of us!  

The Magi are overjoyed to see the birth of the Christ child. And, how fitting for us all...their joy isn’t merely one of the “joy” we read about earlier in the Old Testament texts that is “an external expression of excitement.”  

No, instead their joy is “chara (ca-rah)!”  

Joy: Chara (Greek) = a calm delight and a cheerfulness connected to one falling into trials.  

I will not put words in your mouth. But I can assume that you, like me, sure need such “chara” in your life.  

The first read we find announcing the response of humans to the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, is a joy that brings upon humanity “a calm delight.” And not just a calm delight but a cheerfulness connected to humanities very trials, tribulations, and turmoil! How fitting that Scripture so clearly articulates the appropriate title of our series this Christmas season. For it is apparent that at the birth of Jesus, the Magi, and each of us, truly realize: Joy begins here!  

And too, how fitting, at the very announcement of the birth of the Christ child, we read that the world is now introduced to a “joy;” a joy unlike the world has ever before experienced. And this joy isn’t merely one of excitement. This joy isn’t solely a joy of external expression, through dancing, singing, and rejoicing. No... 

This joy is one of which I am in need. And to experience such a joy is only possible because of Jesus.  

And here is what is fascinating. Moving forward through the New Testament, mostly each time we read the word “joy” in association with the life story of Jesus and the life you and I as Christ-followers are called to live, we find the use of this same Greek word “chara (ca-rah).”  

Remember the definition of the Greek word for joy: Joy: Chara (Greek) = a calm delight and a cheerfulness connected to one falling into trials.  

Think of this definition as you read these passages with me:

I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:11  

Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people. Philemon 1:7  

Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. John 16:20  

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. John 16:24

I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. John 17:13

And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:52

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13  

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, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9

In each of these verses, we find the use of the Greek word chara. You know...the word joy truly is an interesting word.  

It represents something we all want and need. Yet, at times, living a full life of joy is hard...is it not? It’s hard to be joyful when you feel sad. It’s hard to be joyful when you have lost something or someone close to you. It’s hard to express joy when another has expressed an attitude that is less than joyous in return. It’s really, really hard to find joy in the midst of brokenness, cancer, or death.  

For a word that exudes such elation and delight, learning to live with joy is potentially one of the most challenging exercises for the Christ-follower.  

But, learning to live with joy will too be one of the most rewarding and fulfilling and completing and freeing exercises for the Christ-follower.  

So, what if...what if Church, we were to work on exactly this Christmas season - - the art of living with, experiencing, expressing, embracing, and sharing...joy!  

This is exactly what we will explore during this Christmas season.   

As I say often here at Donelson First: “Getting God’s Word in me changes me for the better!” We are going to end this message by putting this thought into action.  

I want you to again read the 8 verses I just shared with you about joy doing so by inserting the Greek definition of chara into the passage.  

So sit back, read these verses, hear the chara in each, and, as you do, I hope you will rejoice!   

have told you this so that a calm delight and a cheerfulness connected to your trials may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:11  

Your love has given me a calm delight and a cheerfulness connected to my trials and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people. Philemon 1:7  

Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to a calm delight and a cheerfulness connected to your trials. John 16:20  

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive a calm delight and a cheerfulness connected to your trials, and you will be complete. John 16:24

I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of a calm delight and a cheerfulness connected to your trials within them. John 17:13

And the disciples were filled with a calm delight and a cheerfulness connected to their trials and with the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:52

May the God of hope fill you with a calm delight and a cheerfulness connected to your trials and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13  

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 calm delight and a cheerfulness connected to your trials, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:8-9 

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Jeffrey Dean Smith is a husband, father to Bailey & Brynnan, author, and the Senior Pastor at Donelson First in Nashville, TN. If you are in Music City, meet Jeffrey and enjoy iced tea on the front lawn each Sunday at 10:30a.