Peace, Hope and Joy being just a few. The coming of Jesus to the world is certainly a reason for joy, yet we have so many forces trying to squeeze joy out of our lives. Maybe the big question is, How can Jesus be the reason for joy when circumstances around us can easily rob us of any joy we may have? Consider what gives you joy? I would suggest that joy is often confused with happiness. Happiness is based on what ‘happens’. If something good happens we feel happy. If someone gives something to us we feel happy. If something good happens at our job or with our family it makes us feel happy. On the contrary a car that doesn’t start, an unexpected bill or a bad report from the doctor sucks happy feelings away. That is where joy comes in because joy is based on how we are, and not based on what happens. Joy to the world the Lord is come is a reminder that joy is found in knowing God and having a relationship with him. Jesus did not come to be out there somewhere but to be right here with us. The Old Testament prophets predicted hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth where he would be born and what He would do. They said his name will be called Emmanuel which means God with us. Think about what God with us means. It means God is a personal God not a distant static belief system which is often what religion makes God out to be. God is knowable. In spite of his greatness it is still possible for us to not just know about him but to know him. This implies a relationship which He invites us to have with him. It is interesting when I hear people say religion just doesn’t do it for them. Religion doesn’t do it for me either. I hate religion. Religion is a complete waste of time. When I say religion I am talking about the rituals and whatever else you do to try to please God. God doesn’t want us doing things for him to win his approval. God even says in the Bible that he doesn’t want our sacrifices and our offerings but instead wants our heart. He wants a relationship not religion. He doesn’t want us saying prayers but he wants us to talk to him because that is what you do with those you love. God wants us to be at peace because he says he will watch over us, he will guide us. He will help us when bad things happen in our lives. What this all boils down to is knowing God for ourselves. Not just knowing about Him but knowing him personally. Knowing Jesus as our savior our redeemer our friend. When we do there is nothing that can take away that joy.