The Definition of Joy

Ryan Ward

In this installment of our Advent blogs we will look at the story of Simeon and Anna found in the gospel of Luke chapter two. We will examine the moment when they met Jesus, how their hope produced joy, and how we could find joy in every circumstance. So, grab a hot beverage of your choice, your Bible, and let’s discover together the joy of Advent. 

First, let’s define “joy” from a biblical perspective. The Bible Project wrote that joy “is more than a happy feeling. It's a lasting emotion that comes from the choice to trust that God will fulfill his promises.” In our first blog of Advent, Pastor Ed McClanahan wrote that hope could be viewed as our confidence that God is faithful and will do what He said (my paraphrase). So, you could say that joy is the fruit that is produced on the tree of hope. 

Simeon and Anna - Luke 2:22-38
In our story, we find Simeon had been told by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he saw the promised Messiah. After Jesus was born Simeon was guided to the Temple Courts by the Holy Spirit, saw Jesus, held the baby and praised God through his words and those of the prophet Isaiah: “...I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles” (see also, Isa 40:5 and 52:10). At that very moment, Anna happened to be there and she too thanked God. It was a moment she would never forget as she spoke about the time  she saw Jesus to those who also hoped for the Messiah (Luke 2:38). Their hope for the Messiah produced praise from their lips - an outward expression of the joy in their hearts. I am fascinated by the attention to detail provided in describing Simeon and Anna. If I close my eyes, I can see these two faithful senior saints of the Old Covenant given a first sighting of the New Covenant, and I see the looks of joy on their faces. So, how can we find joy in the promises of God no matter our circumstances? 

To answer this question, we should turn to Romans 12:12 to read the words of a person that was radically saved by the same baby Simeon held in his arms many years before. Paul wrote, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (See Romans 5:1-5 for an expanded version of this thought). Our definition of joy was an enduring emotion that was anchored in trusting that God will fulfill His promises. So, when we trust that God will do what He said He would, we have a hope that can produce joy. In turn, this hope that produces joy can underpin our faith in Him to be patient to endure the afflictions that come our way. We could also say that our hope in our eternal reward, because of our faith in Jesus, should add to our peace (last week's Advent theme) and joy. Thus, no matter the circumstance, we can find joy because of the great hope we have in Jesus. 

We should consider how we can respond this week to our theme of Joy. I believe that we should heed Paul’s words in Romans 12:12 to faithfully pray this coming week. Pray for hope, peace, and joy to fill you and those in your Oikos. Faithfully share with them  the “good news that will cause great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10). Pray if you are discouraged, sad, or brokenhearted, and fill your mind with the promises and truth of God. Last, faithfully pray that your hope produces a joy that endures like Simeon’s and Anna’s.