ADVENT (Week 3) -- Fulness of JOY in Jesus

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! …

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.”
Luke 2:8-14 NLT

My nativity from when I was a child

Have you ever noticed in Scripture that singing and JOY seem to be connected?

Sing for joy to the LORD, all the earth;
praise him with songs and shouts of joy!
Sing praises to the LORD! Play music on the harps!
Blow trumpets and horns, and shout for joy to the LORD, our king.
Roar, sea, and every creature in you;
sing, earth, and all who live on you!
Clap your hands, you rivers;
you hills, sing together with joy before the LORD,
because he comes to rule the earth.
He will rule the peoples of the world with justice and fairness.
Psalm 98:4-9 GNT

For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Isaiah 55:12 ESV

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them ever sing for joy,
and spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may exult in you.
Psalm 5:11 ESV

Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!
Psalm 100:2 ESV

My lips will shout for joy, when I sing praises to you; my soul also, which you have redeemed. Psalm 71:23 ESV

So this week’s theme will be intermixed with singing.
What Christmas song has been grabbing hold of you this year? Share in comments.

I’ve been fixated on the following song this week — I’ve been humming it daily during my morning walk and exercise time. How like the above Scriptures it is. Enjoy it with me this week … and even beyond…

Joyful, joyful, we adore You,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flow'rs before You,
Op'ning to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day!

All Your works with joy surround You,
Earth and heav'n reflect Your rays,
Stars and angels sing around You,
Center of unbroken praise;
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
Flow'ry meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird and flowing fountain
Praising You eternally!

Always giving and forgiving,
Ever blessing, ever blest,
Well-spring of the joy of living,
Ocean-depth of happy rest!
Loving Father, Christ our Brother,
Let Your light upon us shine;
Teach us how to love each other,
Lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals, join the mighty chorus,
Which the morning stars began;
God's own love is reigning o’er us,
Joining people hand in hand.
Ever singing, march we onward,
Victors in the midst of strife;
Joyful music leads us sunward
In the triumph song of life.