The joy of Christmas 

The theme through advent and Christmas this year in the Church of England is Joy. 

But what is joy? 

Joy is often seen as happiness.  

Disney/Pixar's Inside Out franchise has a character named Joy. In the movie, Joy is the literal embodiment of the emotion joy and is the de facto leader of the emotions inside the mind of the protagonist, Riley.  

Joy is characterised as vivacious, cheerful, peppy, optimistic, and relentlessly determined to ensure Riley is happy. Her primary goal is to find positivity and fun in every situation. 

Joy initially tries to keep Riley's life constantly positive, acting somewhat controllingly and selfishly toward the other emotions, especially Sadness, who she does not understand or see as necessary. 

Through circumstances in the movie, Joy realises that Sadness is an integral and necessary part of life. It’s a reality. 

I tend to write ‘Merry Christmas’ rather than ‘Happy Christmas’ at this time of year because for many people it is not a happy time.  

There are financial pressures, work pressures, ill health, recovery, mourning those loved ones that should be with us, loneliness and isolation.  

It might not be ‘happy’, but I believe a merriness can be found – and one description of merriness is Joy. 

Biblical joy is strange. It isn't usually found in perfect circumstances; it is often found in the wreckage. There often isn’t happiness there in those circumstances, but there can be joy. 

Joy is a realisation of something deeper that recognises God’s action in the world.  

The Christmas story is full of joy.  

Mary's response to the impossible news is not just acceptance, but an explosion of praise: "My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour." Her soul magnifies the Lord. And yet she could have focused on the risk that she would be a young unmarried mother shunned by society. 

The Wise Men. After months of journeying, guided by a star, "when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy." This joy was so intense, so powerful, that it led directly to worship. And yet they uprooted their lives to discover it. 

When the angel appeared to the shepherds, the message was unmistakable: "I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people." It led them to leave their post and see for themselves - putting their livelihood at risk. 

This is the purpose of the whole Christmas story—to announce an event so magnificent it deserves great joy for everyone. 

The wonderful truth is that the joy of Christmas is not some fleeting holiday happiness. Not just for children. It is a deep, sustaining, joy that flows from a single source: Jesus Christ. 

• It is the joy that our King has come. 
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• It is the joy of knowing we are loved. 
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• It is the joy of salvation given freely to all the people. 

That profound, personal joy is available to us all. 

Whatever your circumstances this Christmas - I pray that you are able to find the joy of the angels' message - peace on earth, goodwill to all.