How to Find Real Joy this Christmas

Maybe you’re tired, stressed, and running on fumes this holiday season. Perhaps you’re searching for real joy this Christmas. Let’s take a look at how real joy can be found during this busy season, and how it can grow in our hearts year round.

If you’ve ever done an internet search on “How to find joy”, you’ve most likely come across multiple articles telling you very similar things. Things like, create positive habits, get rid of toxic relationships, practice gratitude, and so on. While all of those things will bring temporary happiness, there’s one way to find lasting joy this Christmas. REAL Joy this Christmas.

I believe it was the Grinch who said, “maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more.” He realized that Christmas didn’t come from packages, boxes, and bags. Joy doesn’t come from those things either, and when we try to get our joy from material things, we quickly learn that it doesn’t last. (If it did, we’d never have to buy another thing.)

Maybe this Christmas season you’re feeling a little less than joyful. Things are tough. Money’s tight, budgets are broken, kids are asking for things you know you can’t afford. It’s SO easy as a parent to let these things overwhelm us. Generally, when things get difficult, it’s easy to focus on the dark clouds and problems. We fear the unknown. We fear disappointing people.

I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “choose joy”, but is it really that simple? Can you really just choose joy, and be done? I think the answer to that would be yes, and no.

True joy comes from Jesus.

Not presents, twinkly lights, the family traditions, or matching pajamas. Real joy this Christmas comes from the One we celebrate. While these things may bring us temporary joy, it won’t last.

Without Jesus, there will be no real, lasting joy in our lives.

Jesus is our joy!

Choosing joy doesn’t mean a fake smile or pretending to be happy. True joy can exist even when we are at our lowest. REAL joy is found by living in Jesus.

Ask God to lead and guide you each and every day. He wants us to be joyful. He wants us to abound in joy.

What are a few things we can do daily to shift the focus from our problems to Jesus? I’ve jotted down a list of a few things below that I always find helpful.

Simple ways to choose joy

Change our thoughts.
- “Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8. It is amazing what a difference it makes when we change our focus. Focusing on the negative will always make things worse. However, finding the good in every situation will always help bring things into perspective. As long as we are this earth there will be trouble. Sometimes, the only good I can find in a situation is to simply remind myself that God ordains every little thing that happens in our lives. Resting in that fact always makes me thankful.
Remember Past Victories
- If you’ve been a Christian very long, I am positive you can look back and see where God brought you through a tough time. I could tell you story after story of the ways God has provided for us over the last two decades. The Bible is full of victorious stories as well. I often think about David defeating Goliath. To man, it didn’t make sense, but God gave him the victory! God will never leave us or forsake us. We can take comfort and find joy in a God who will always be on our side!

“Looking unto Jess the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

Worship
- “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: Come before his presence with singing.” Psalm 100:1&2 The Bible tells us in Ephesians 5 to sing and make melody in our heart to the Lord. Above all praising God for His goodness and, worshipping Him will lighten our hearts and change our focus to the joy that comes from Jesus.
Realize REAL Joy comes from Jesus Alone
- “Joy is distinctly a Christian word and a Christian thing. It is the reverse of happiness. Happiness is the result of what happens of an agreeable sort. Joy has its springs deep down inside. And that spring never runs dry, no matter what happens. Only Jesus gives that joy. He had joy, singing its music within, even under the shadow of the cross” -S.D. Gordon. We choose joy when we realize that it comes from Jesus and not our circumstances. It is an eternal promise of Christ. Although, happiness will come and go, real joy will endure if it is rooted in Christ.