That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them. LUKE 2:8-20 NLT

The arrival of joy: It’s found in a person not a pursuit

In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! LUKE 15:7 NLT
When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! JOHN 15:10-11 NLT

The need for joy: More happy in God and not so much in outcomes

You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine. PSALM 4:7 NLT
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! PHILIPPIANS 4:4 NLT

The experience of joy: Where is your happiness?

Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! PSALM 32:1-2 NLT

The sharing of joy: Invite others into this happiness

Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting his hands to heaven, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven. So they worshiped him and then returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy. And they spent all of their time in the Temple, praising God. LUKE 24:50-53 NLT

Community Group Discussion Guide

1. If a friend asked you, “what is the difference between happiness and joy,” what would you tell them?
2. Read Psalm 4:7. In what specific ways do the events and traditions of the Christmas season bring you happiness, but fall short of bringing you true joy?
3. Read John 15:10-11. According to this passage, where is one of the places we can find true joy? Is that where you tend to go looking to find it?
4. Read Philippians 4:4. When has there been a time where you remained joyful in spite of difficult circumstances?
5. What are some of the practical things you do to remain joyful in hard seasons?
6. Read Psalm 32:1-2. What specific things has God done for you that you can remember or hold onto, to remain joyful this Christmas season?

Personal Reflection Guide

Take some time to pause, especially this week, when the pace of the season, demands from family, and expectations from others can be at their peak. Consider your current circumstances. Are you happy with what they are? Often we can see gaps between our current situation and our expectations. Take time to acknowledge those before God, who has authority over all circumstances. Are any of your current circumstances distracting you from the blessing of simply sitting with God? If God were inviting you into something this season, what would it be? Sit with this question before God, and ask him to increase your hunger for him – the giver of all joy. Be intentional this week about seeking after God, regardless of your schedule, regardless of outside expectations, but instead, like the shepherds, pursuing the joy wrapped in cloth and lying in a manger. Remember to pause to thank God for sending Jesus, (Emmanuel): God-with-us.