The Theology of Joy
Advent 2025 Heaven Came Down: The Theology of Joy
John 1:14, Luke 2
December 7th, 2025
John 1:1-5 (NIV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Jesus physical birth wasn’t His beginning, it was His earthly arrival.
John 1:14 (NIV) 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
The God of the Bible is an in person, personal God – this is a reason for JOY.
“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” means “God keep you joyful and at peace!”
“God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”
God rest ye merry gentlemen let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan's pow'r when we were gone astray
Oh tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, oh tidings of comfort and joy.
In Bethlehem, in Israel this blessed Babe was born
And laid within a manger upon this blessed morn
The which His Mother Mary did nothing take in scorn
[Translation: Mary took no issue in the circumstances and setting of the birth of her first born – the Messiah. According to the song writer – Mary “got it.”]
Oh tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, oh tidings of comfort and joy.
Fear not then, said the Angel let nothing you affright
This day is born a Savior of a pure Virgin bright
To free all those who trust in Him from Satan's pow'r and might
Oh tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy, oh tidings of comfort and joy
The Theology of Joy
The Birth of Jesus broke the power of Satan and frees those who trust in His deity and His delivering power.
“tiding” = euangelizō
“good news”
Isaiah 52:7/Romans 10:15 How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
The proclamation of Salvation through Jesus is a Joyful Tiding!
Luke 2:1-18 (NIV) In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. 2 (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to their own town to register. 4 So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. 5 He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, 7 and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news [tidings] that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”
13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
3 Contextual Observations
1. Geo-Political: Powers and Politics are no barrier for God plan of salvation.
2. Cultural: Even in Jesus’ birth He was bringing about redemption.
3. Social: With Jesus, everyone’s status changes.
Collectively, these 3 contexts make one bold statement.
Jesus is the one true King. His presence changes everyone and everything.
10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news [tidings] that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.
Savior = Deliverer. Jesus is All Powerful.
Messiah = Long Awaited Promised One. Jesus is All Trustworthy.
Lord = Divine nature and absolute authority. Jesus is Above All.
Who is this news for? All people. No exclusions.
“Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Appropriate Responses to the Joy Message of Jesus.
Movement.
Testimony.
No more status quo living.
Jesus didn’t just come to save the world, He came to save me, too.
Trust in Jesus is the key that unlocks the door to joy. You can hold onto Joy (Jesus) while navigating hard. Jesus changes everything even when nothing in the moment has changed.
The Theology of Joy
The Birth of Jesus broke the power of Satan and frees those who trust in His deity and His delivering power.