Advent Pt. 4 - Joy

God is with us. Our joy is in the Lord and the Lord is in our circumstances. Joy isn’t turning that frown upside down. Joy isn’t happiness or ideal circumstances. Joy is an attitude God’s people adopt by their faith and belief in God’s goodness and his presence with us in all circumstances. Joy is something internal and eternal; it’s something that can coexist with pain, mourning, sorrow, and suffering. Luke 2:4-12 NIV - 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. 8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 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. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Psalm 16:11 ESV - 11 You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.