Fullness of Joy in Christ This Advent

by Benjamin Wilson

John 15:11, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

Most of you reading this have never met me, but I used to be quite the scrooge during the holidays, especially Christmas. At the time, it never felt intentional or overt. I didn’t walk around thinking about how to steal people’s joy during this season, although I’m sure I did. But I certainly did not have joy during the holiday season.

Then it clicked. For full disclosure, it coincided with our oldest daughter’s first Christmas. My family loves Christmas, they always have, and all of my daughters have that same love. But for Carson’s first Christmas, I began to have joy and to love this season.

What changed? I began to see who it was all about Christ. This time of year, and the whole year, is about Him. And when we know Christ, we can have joy during the holidays and know His joy.

Jesus Desires Our Joy

Have you ever considered that Jesus wants His people to experience joy? In His final teachings to His disciples the Upper Room discourse He prepares them for His death, resurrection, and ascension. He promises the coming Holy Spirit, their Helper.

Within this section is the familiar metaphor of Jesus as the true vine and His disciples as the branches (John 15:1–5). At the conclusion of this teaching, Jesus says, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11).

Two truths stand out:

• Jesus wants His joy to be in His disciples.
• Jesus wants His disciples’ joy to be full.

The words of Christ produce joy. Many believers lack joy because they neglect His word. Jesus tells His disciples that even as He leaves them, they will have His joy.

The Fullness of Christ’s Joy

When you have the joy of Christ, you have fullness of joy. Jesus does not give His people a partial supply of joy; He gives them His joy complete, unwavering, and enduring.

So how can we know and walk in the joy of Christ this Advent season? Here are four practical steps:

1. Read the Scriptures

Jesus spoke His words so that His joy would be in His disciples. For the Christian, joy cannot be separated from Scripture. Don’t merely read the Bible to finish the passage read it to know Christ. Scripture points to Him (John 5:39). As you behold Christ, joy grows.

2. Meditate on the Incarnation

The eternal Son of God took on flesh. Truly God, truly man. He came to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21) and give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). Reflect on this wonder.

3. Worship with God’s People

Christ came for individuals, but also for His church (Ephesians 5). Joy is found among the redeemed family of God. The joy of Christ in others encourages joy in us. Joy shared becomes joy multiplied.

4. Read an Advent Devotional

Thoughtful devotional reading helps fix our hearts on Christ throughout the season and guides our minds to rejoice in Him.

Joy That Lasts

You can know and experience the joy of Christ by knowing Christ Himself. Preach to your heart that the greatest gift you have ever received is reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ.

The Christmas season may be stressful or painful. Family tensions, unmet expectations, and sorrow are real but Christ’s joy remains. No circumstance can remove what Christ has given.

Jesus has never taken back a gift He has given His people.

So, enjoy the full joy He gives not only during Advent, but for the rest of your life and into eternity.

For more from our latest series on the Advent please visit: Christ Our Light and Hope: Reflections for Advent