INTRODUCTION: We say a lot about joy at this time of the year. Christians say, "Merry Christmas!" Jews say, "Happy Hanukkah!" Incidentally, Jesus may have celebrated Hanukkah. (Explain Hanukkah, which began in 164 BC.) Our songs are about joy: "Good Christian Men Rejoice," "Joy to the World," and so on. Everyone knows what joy is: a sense of peace, happiness and contentment, even jubilation sometimes!

I. A Lot of Things Happen to Dampen Our Joy:
A. Personal tragedies: Death in the family, illness, loss of job or home, poverty
B. Bad news in the press, radio, TV.

II. Yet We May Rejoice Nevertheless! Why?
A. Rejoice that God has given us His Word (Ps. 119:162).
God is not just an impersonal "force," or uncaused first cause. He has spoken,
and He wants to communicate with us.

B. Rejoice that God is our defender (Psalm 5:11).
Satan complained about the hedge around Job.
Whatever bad has happened to you, Satan would like to double it.

C. Rejoice that God is with us in adversity (Psalm 31:7).

D. Rejoice that God is what He is (Psalm 97:12).
He is not like the other gods men have invented.

E. Rejoice that God has given us salvation in Jesus (Luke 1:46-47).

CONCLUSION: Joy to the world, the Lord has come. Let earth receive her King. Please pray for those who are having a hard time this Christmas. And let us learn to rejoice in the Lord no matter what our circumstances may be.