December 14, 2008 · Luke 1:44

Luke 1

“Number three, remember that true joy is found in Jesus. It's important that we don't lose sight of the main point of the Christmas story. … Remember that joy that John had in the womb? Remember the joy that Elizabeth and Mary had? … That is our joy. … It's Jesus' joy. That's the key to joy. In Jesus, you can access the joy like none other in the world. … It's a joy that changes your heart when it touches you. It's a joy that changes the hearts of others when you share it with them. Jesus' joy is a joy that can be present even in prison. It's a joy that allows martyrs to sing hymns of praise and joy even while they're being crucified or be hanged or burnt alive. The joy of Jesus is joy to the world. It's hope for humanity. It is a declaration that we humans, we don't have to pay for our screw-ups the way that we should have to. … Jesus' joy is in the joy that sings in your heart, even when you're not thinking about it.”