Joy to the World: Radiating Joy

Sermon Quick Summary
We are on a journey during this Advent season around the world and through the themes of Advent. In this message the Advent theme is joy; we explore what it means to radiate joy, with our Savior Jesus Christ at the center. We need to distinguish happiness and joy; happiness rises and falls based on what happens to us; joy is positive contentment rooted in the presence and promises of God with Jesus at our center. God’s angels are filled with and radiate joy; angels dwell in the presence of God; angels worship God with unceasing praise; this heavenly joy is not limited to angels alone; it is the same joy that Jesus in the Advent came to give us. The angel Gabriel visited Mary providing joy through reassurance from Jesus’ birth. When we explore Christian communities around the world, we see how Christmas is celebrated to radiate joy. In Pakistan for many Christians, Christmas radiates joy through celebration and worship. An angel appeared to Joseph who radiated joy through obedience. For many Christians in Egypt, even as a minority population, Christmas joy of faith is not about ease or comfort; Christmas joy often shines brightest in the face of hardship with the assurance that God’s purposes will prevail. Angels appeared proclaiming joy and worship that all people can replicate; the shepherds became the first human messengers of the gospel about the First Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Christmas in the country of Belize is a joy-filled communal experience with cultural traditions. With Christ as the center, we truly have a message that is not only joy to the world but joy for the world desperate for true joy.
 
We are on a journey during this Advent season around the world and through the themes of Advent.  
            We began with Living Hope and unpacking the truth that Jesus is our Living Hope. We can remain steadfast because hope floats, hope guides, and hope is strengthened in community because of God’s great love for us.
            In the message last week, we explored Embracing Peace with the truth that Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He enables us to have peace with God, peace with ourselves, and peace with one another as peacemakers.
           
In this message the Advent theme is joy; we explore what it means to radiate joy, with our Savior Jesus Christ at the center.
            Radiating joy is joyous worship and laughter, with Jesus at the center. The simple definition of "radiate" is to extend, spread, or move like rays or radii from a center. Radiating joy implies that joy is so abundant in our hearts that it naturally overflows in an outward ripple effect from that joy. It’s a reflection of the inner transformation that comes from a relationship with Jesus at the center and naturally draws others to its warmth and light. In the message this week, we are going to do a deeper dive into radiating joy. God’s angels are agents of joy woven all through the Advent narrative. It seems obvious to associate angels with joy since angels delivered the good news of Jesus’ birth. But as we look a little deeper, we’ll see there’s more the angels can teach us about radiating joy today.    

We need to distinguish happiness and joy; happiness rises and falls based on what happens to us; joy is positive contentment rooted in the presence and promises of God with Jesus at our center.
            Happiness is often a fleeting emotion tied to favorable circumstances. Happiness rises and falls based on what happens to us. A good day at work, a kind word, or a special celebration can make us happy. Happiness is wonderful and also a gift from God, but it can vanish just as quickly when difficulties and trials come.
            By contrast, joy is a deeper sense of positive contentment. Joy is steadier and more enduring because, for followers of Jesus, it is rooted in the presence and promises of God with Jesus as our center. Joy does not fluctuate with the momentary ups and downs of life; it flows from the confidence that Jesus is with us, that God is good, and that God’s purposes are loving and kind, even when we do not feel God’s love towards us.
            As humans, we long for joy. It’s something we were designed to experience as a natural expression of a loving relationship with God. Jesus said, "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). We were made to experience God’s love and deep joy. Yet, too often, we settle for the temporary, shallow satisfaction of happiness when what we truly desire is the abiding joy only God can give.
            This Advent, we have the invitation and opportunity to deepen our joy by learning from the angels in the Christmas story. They show us what it means to radiate joy, not just as an internal feeling, but as something that overflows into our lives and touches the world around us. Joy actually is also a choice. As we look to God’s Word, we’ll explore the biblical passages for the angels of Advent one at a time.

God’s angels are filled with and radiate joy; angels dwell in the presence of God; angels worship God with unceasing praise; this heavenly joy is not limited to angels alone; it is the same joy that Jesus in the Advent came to give us.
            The Bible tells us that angels are spiritual beings created by God to serve God and carry out God’s purposes. The literal translation of the word "angel" in both the Old and New Testaments is "messenger." Throughout Scripture, we see angels playing significant roles as messengers, protectors, and worshipers of God.
For example, angels dwell in the presence of God. Psalm 16:11 tells us, "In your presence there is fullness of joy." No wonder angels are filled with joy; they are constantly in the presence of God, the ultimate source of joy. We also know they worship God with exuberant praise. Revelation 5:11-12 gives us a glimpse of angels worshiping: "Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels...saying in a loud voice: ‘Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!’"
            Angels rejoice over God’s redeeming work. Luke 15:10 tells us, "There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Angels celebrate when God’s purposes unfold, especially when people come to faith. They are God’s messengers of good news, often delivering messages of hope, peace, and joy.
            When we think about angels, it’s no wonder they radiate joy. They are immersed in God’s glory. They worship without distraction or hindrance. They proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ. They celebrate God’s work of redemption.
 
The angel Gabriel visited Mary providing joy through reassurance from Jesus’ birth.
            In Luke 1:26-30: "In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, 'Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!' Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. 'Don’t be afraid, Mary,' the angel told her, 'for you has found favor with God.'"
            When Gabriel appeared to Mary, his very first word carried profound meaning. The original Greek for "greetings" can also be translated as "rejoice" or "be glad." The Weymouth New Testament beautifully captures this as Gabriel says, "Joy be to you, favored one! The Lord is with you." This wasn’t just a formal greeting; it was a declaration of joy directly from heaven.
            It’s hard to imagine the mixture of emotions Mary must have felt when she heard these words. She was a young woman, engaged but not yet married, living in a small town where news traveled fast. When the angel Gabriel revealed that she would conceive and give birth to the Son of God, her fear and uncertainty must have been palpable, with her heart racing. But hear again Gabriel’s reassuring response: "Do not be afraid, Mary; you’ve found favor with God."
            This reassurance leads Mary into a place of trust and joy. She could have fixated on the potential shame, the uncertainty of her future, or the weight of such a calling. But instead, Mary embraces Gabriel’s message with faith, responding with, "I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled." Gabriel’s message wasn’t just information; it was an invitation to joy. And Mary chose joy.
            The angel’s words offered hope and assurance, transforming what could have been overwhelming news into an experience of joy and celebration. Mary’s joy did not mean the absence of fear but the presence of trust in God’s presence with her. Both can be true. We can choose joy and trust and still feel anxious. Just this week, someone used the term "Holy Fear." We can feel apprehension, nerves, or anxiety and still choose to trust God, like Jesus in the garden. That was Mary’s response. She chose to believe that God’s promises were greater than her circumstances. Her trust in God allowed her to rejoice, even in uncertainty, and her song of praise in Luke 1:46-55, known as the Magnificat, reflects the depth of her joy: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."
            As we consider radiating joy, let us remember that the big idea of Gabriel’s message to Mary is not just for her alone. The truth is, we too are graciously favored by God. Just as Mary did nothing to earn or deserve God’s favor, we too are loved by God because of God’s grace and mercy. God’s love is a gift, not based on our achievements but on God’s character.
            Like Mary, there is an invitation for us, too. Mary was entrusted with a unique mission, but God has a purpose for each one of us as well. This unique mission is customized for you. We are invited to rejoice and be glad because God is with us and invites us to be a part of God’s unfolding story. As we embrace this truth and receive God’s joy, we radiate that joy to others.
            If you remember what happens next in the biblical story, the Bible says Mary, with haste, goes to see Elizabeth, her cousin, who is also miraculously pregnant (See Luke 1:39). Together, they have a joy fest, encouraging and reassuring one another.

When we explore Christian communities around the world, we see how Christmas is celebrated to radiate joy. In Pakistan for many Christians, Christmas radiates joy through celebration and worship.
            In our travels around the world, we’ve already stopped by Pakistan this morning through Brother Samson’s beautiful song. In Pakistan, the celebration of Christmas is often marked by bold expressions of joy despite challenges and hardship. Although a minority population, Christmas is celebrated with vibrant caroling, processions, and communal meals. These very public displays of faith also serve as acts of reassurance to one another and their neighbors. They exemplify Gabriel’s role of bringing reassurance to Mary as an invitation to joy in the midst of uncertainty and in sharing that joy with others.
            Just as Mary responded with trust and joy in the face of her calling from God, the celebration of Christmas in Pakistan by many Christians respond to their challenges with a radiant joy that uplifts the body of Christ. In a world full of fear and uncertainty, we too can speak life into another person’s situation, reminding them of God’s presence and favor. Joy is reassuring and contagious.
            Is there someone in your life who needs to hear the words: "Do not be afraid"? Perhaps you can reach out to someone this week with words of encouragement, a prayer, or simply your presence as a reminder of God’s faithfulness. And if you’re the one who needs those words, take a moment and hear the angel Gabriel, "Rejoice, favored one; do not be afraid—the Lord is with you."
 
An angel appeared to Joseph who radiated joy through obedience.
            As Jesus’ story continues to unfold, we meet an angel again in Matthew 1. Some believe this angel was Gabriel, but the Bible does not specify. Hear the Word of the Lord from Matthew 1:18-21: "This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. 'Joseph, son of David,' the angel said, 'do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.'" Joseph’s situation was delicate and deeply personal. He was a righteous man, devoted to the law and compassionate. He was a man of character and integrity. When he learned that Mary was pregnant, he faced a heartbreaking decision. Though cultural norms would have permitted him to shame Mary publicly, Joseph resolved to break the engagement quietly to protect her dignity. In the midst of his deliberations, God sent an angel with a message that changed everything. Once again, the angel spoke words of reassurance: “Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife.” The angel explained that the child was conceived by the Holy Spirit and would fulfill God’s plan as the Savior of the world.
            Imagine the joy Joseph must have felt as the angel’s words began to sink in. He didn’t have to divorce Mary. She hadn’t been unfaithful to him. Instead, something miraculous was happening; Joseph was being invited to be a part of a great story. Joseph’s fears and uncertainties were replaced with hope, joy, and a renewed sense of purpose. Joseph responded to the angel’s message with remarkable faith and obedience. Instead of following his initial plan, he chose to trust God’s words, taking Mary as his wife and accepting the responsibility of raising the Messiah. Though the road ahead would not be easy, Joseph’s obedience allowed him to experience the joy of trusting that God’s plan was better than his own.
            There is a powerful truth in Joseph’s story: our plans may not always align with God’s, but God’s plans are always better. That’s where obedience comes in. Obedience often requires surrendering our control, our way, and stepping into the unknown. Yet, in that surrender we find a joy that is deeper and sustaining because God is trustworthy. Even when God’s plan is hard, it is always for good. in fact, it is always the best. Fast forward 33 years, and no one exemplifies this truth better than Jesus himself. Even in the face of unimaginable hardship of the cross, Jesus pressed forward, anticipating the joy His obedience would bring.
            In Hebrews 12:2, Paul writes: "Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne." This joy awaiting Jesus wasn’t about immediate happiness or the avoidance of suffering. Jesus knew that what awaited Him was a profound, eternal joy rooted in the fulfillment of God’s plan. Though hard and painful, Jesus endured the cross knowing that His sacrifice would bring salvation to humanity, restoring the broken relationship between God and His people. Jesus chose joy, knowing God’s plan was best.

For many Christians in Egypt, even as a minority population, Christmas joy of faith is not about ease or comfort; Christmas joy often shines brightest in the face of hardship with the assurance that God’s purposes will prevail.
            Joy from God does not mean the absence of hardship but the presence of purpose. Joy is found in trusting God’s greater plan, even when the path is difficult. Many followers of Jesus in Egypt have learned this truth; they’ve discovered that the joy of faith often shines brightest in the face of hardship.
            Coptic Christians, who make up the largest Christian community in the Middle East, live as a religious minority and have endured persecution and challenges for centuries. Yet, their steadfast faith remains a testament to their trust in God’s promises. During the Advent season, they fast for 43 days leading up to Christmas, abstaining from animal products like meat, dairy, and eggs as a way to spiritually prepare for the birth of Jesus Christ. This fasting period, known as the Holy Nativity Fast, mirrors the sacrifice and obedience we see in Joseph’s story. The culmination of this preparation is the midnight service on January 7, where churches across Egypt come alive with vibrant worship. Families and communities gather in joy, proclaiming the birth of Christ with hymns, prayers, and scripture readings. Even in the face of hardship, their worship is marked by a deep, abiding joy rooted in the confident hope of Christ’s coming in the Second Advent. Like Joseph, the faith of many in the Coptic community teaches us that joy is found not in the absence of difficulty but in trusting God’s greater plan and obedience.
            Are you facing a situation where obedience feels challenging because inside each of us may not want to obey? Reflect on the joy God sets before you that is the promise of God’s presence and the fulfillment of God’s purposes. Step forward in faith and trust, like Joseph, knowing that obedience leads to lasting joy. God invites you to radiate that joy as a testimony to God’s goodness and faithfulness.

Angels appeared proclaiming joy and worship that all people can replicate; the shepherds became the first human messengers of the gospel about the First Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ.
            We have one more angel fact for this message: the angels and the shepherds. Remember the Word of the Lord from Luke 2:8-14: "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.'" The shepherds were going about their ordinary routines when the angel appeared, but their night became anything but ordinary. The radiance of God’s glory surrounded them, and the angel proclaimed the most incredible news: "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people."
            In the first century, shepherds were not highly regarded in society. They were seen as unimportant and often considered untrustworthy and rough individuals living on the margins. Yet, God chose to announce the birth of His Son to them first. The shepherds’ initial fear turned into wonder and joy as they realized they were witnesses to God’s unfolding plan right before their eyes. This incredible truth highlights God’s heart for the humble, the overlooked, and the ordinary. The shepherds’ inclusion in this divine moment reveals that no one is too insignificant to be part of God’s plan or to experience God’s joy. The angel’s proclamation was a declaration of universal joy available for all people.
            The appearance of the vast heavenly host was a divine worship service. Imagine the skies filled with angels, their voices lifting together in perfect harmony as they praised God. The heavenly host’s worship that night reminds us that true joy is found in glorifying God and that we are invited to join in this eternal celebration. The shepherds got a small taste of what the angels experience every day and what we will one day experience fully in the presence of God.
            In response to the angelic declaration of joy, the shepherds acted with urgency. They left their flocks to find the baby in the manger. They couldn’t keep the news to themselves. They became the first human messengers of the gospel, sharing the good news with everyone they encountered. Their joy was not passive; it radiated outward as they proclaimed the Savior’s birth.

Christmas in the country of Belize is a joy-filled communal experience with cultural traditions.
            For many Christians in Belize, the joyful communal experience is not just about individual happiness, but about collective joy celebrations reminiscent of the joy of the shepherds. Just like the shepherds who left their fields to spread the angel’s message, followers of Jesus in Belize celebrate with generosity, singing, dancing, worship, and a passionate joy to proclaim the good news of Jesus. Cultural traditions at Christmas include Belizean flare, black cake, cleaning their residence, special clothing, and dancing festivals.
           
With Christ as the center, we truly have a message that is not only joy to the world but joy for the world desperate for true joy. 
            Just like the shepherds, we, too, are called to proclaim the good news of Jesus with joy. The joy of Christ’s birth isn’t meant to be kept to ourselves; it’s meant to overflow into our communities, bringing light and hope to those around us through our words and actions.
            As we reflect on radiating joy like the angels this Advent season, we are reminded of the profound joy they embody. Angels dwell in the presence of God and experience firsthand the glory and joy of Jesus. They were the first to proclaim His birth, the first to worship Him in His incarnation, and the first to invite others to share in the good news of great joy. Mary was reassured and encouraged by Gabriel’s joyful greeting.  Joseph found purpose and peace through obedience to God’s plan. The shepherds became the first human messengers of the gospel. We see how the joy of Jesus transforms lives.
            What about you? How is God inviting you to radiate joy this morning? Perhaps radiating joy is through a kind word, a generous act, or an intentional conversation about the joy we can have in our love relationship with Jesus. How might you let the joy of Jesus radiate and ripple outward as it did through the angels? Perhaps God is inviting you to hear the message of the angels more personally. The invitation is to not be afraid, resting assured that God is with you, to trust God in obedience, believing God’s plan is for your good and God’s glory, and to choose to embrace the joy Jesus offers. God invites you to radiate to a world so desperate for true joy. We are here to connect with God, and God wants to connect with you. What is God saying to you now?
            Those of you in our sanctuary today will receive a small angel as a reminder of the joy Jesus brings and the call to share that joy with others. Let this angel remind you of the heavenly hosts who praised God on the night of His birth, the angel who reassured Mary, and the angel who brought peace to Joseph. Let it remind you that, like the angels, you are a bearer of God’s joy, invited to join in God’s eternal story, and called by God to invite others into the wonder of God’s love.
 
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS INCLUDING FAMILY GROUPS
Sermon Quick Summary
-For further explanation of any statement in the Quick Summary, review that section and consider the questions for that section.
We are on a journey during this Advent season around the world and through the themes of Advent.  
-For the Advent theme of Living Hope, in what ways have you felt called by God to apply Living Hope?
-For the Advent theme of Embracing Peace, in what ways have you felt called by God to apply Embracing Peace?
In this message the Advent theme is joy; we explore what it means to radiate joy, with our Savior Jesus Christ at the center.
-What does “radiating joy” mean to you? What is an example of when someone’s joy positively impacted you?
We need to distinguish happiness and joy; happiness rises and falls based on what happens to us; joy is positive contentment rooted in the presence and promises of God with Jesus at our center.
-The message contrasts happiness and joy. How does joy differ from happiness in your life?
-What is an example of a time when you experienced joy even in the midst of uncertainty or difficulty?
God’s angels are filled with and radiate joy; angels dwell in the presence of God; angels worship God with unceasing praise; this heavenly joy is not limited to angels alone; it is the same joy that Jesus in the Advent came to give us.
-Angels rejoiced, praised, and proclaimed the good news. How can we mirror these actions in our everyday lives to radiate joy?
-What is an example of when you felt filled with and radiated joy, felt the presence of God, or worshipped God?
The angel Gabriel visited Mary providing joy through reassurance from Jesus’ birth.
-Mary’s response to Gabriel’s message was trust and joy, despite fear. How does Mary’s response challenge or encourage you in your own faith journey?
-In what areas of your life do you need to hear Gabriel’s words: “Do not be afraid”?
-What practical steps can you take to respond with faith and joy when God call you into the unknown?
When we explore Christian communities around the world, we see how Christmas is celebrated to radiate joy. In Pakistan for many Christians, Christmas radiates joy through celebration and worship.
-When Brother Samson sang the gospel song in the Urdu language, one of the two primary languages in Pakistan along with English, what did you feel about the truth that sharing radiating joy from God extends to the entire world across language barriers? Why?
An angel appeared to Joseph who radiated joy through obedience.
-Joseph trusted God’s plan, even when it disrupted his own plans. When have you had to surrender your plans to follow God’s will? How did that experience grow your faith or joy?
-How can obedience to God lead to deeper joy, even when it is challenging because of your anxiety in obeying God’s way rather than your own way?
For many Christians in Egypt, even as a minority population, Christmas joy of faith is not about ease or comfort; Christmas joy often shines brightest in the face of hardship with the assurance that God’s purposes will prevail.
-Even when part of a persecuted minority population in a country, what are examples you feel or see in others of that persecuted minority radiating joy centered on Christ at Christmas?
Angels appeared proclaiming joy and worship that all people can replicate; the shepherds became the first human messengers of the gospel about the First Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ.
-The shepherds received the good news of great joy and immediately shared it with others. What does this teach you about sharing your joy in Christ? Why?
-Who in your life needs to experience the radiating joy of Jesus? How can you practically share the good news with them?
Christmas in the country of Belize is a joy-filled communal experience with cultural traditions.
-What cultural traditions and practices of Belize enhance radiating joy during their extended Christmas season extending through January 7th? What are examples of cultural traditions and practices in Belize that would apply in your life radiating joy to the world around you?
With Christ as the center, we truly have a message that is not only joy to the world but joy for the world desperate for true joy. 
-Which of these specific examples resonates most with you: reassurance by Mary, obedience by Joseph, or proclamation by the shepherds? Why?
-What is one specific way you can radiate joy to others this week through words, actions or encouragement?
-Are there areas where fear or uncertainty is hindering your joy? Pray for opportunities to radiate Christmas joy to others, especially in challenging situations. Why is it so important to ask God for the courage to trust and obey God’s plans for your life?