Where Joy Comes From
After this interview the wise men went their way. And the star they had seen in the east guided them to Bethlehem. It went ahead of them and stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:9-11
When I think of my being a parent, I think of both the good times and struggles. With my oldest, I watched her grow and develop into a responsible mother and remember the fights where she wanted to flex her independence even while totally dependent on her mother and me. I think about how my son wanted to blend in with his friends more than focus on his studies, but how he managed to become a smart man. Then my youngest daughter had struggles early in school, and I think of how proud I was when she overcame them. There was a lot of happiness and plenty of struggles. However, there was never a moment when I regretted it. That is because I always had joy in that they were my children and responsibility. Joy is the thing that keeps me going. It keeps us remembering through the arguments, the disappointments, and even failures, that it is all worth it.
That kind of joy is not dependent on everything going smoothly. It exists alongside tension, uncertainty, and unanswered questions. It is the quiet confidence that something precious has been entrusted to you, even when you do not fully understand how the story will unfold. That is the same kind of joy that surrounded the birth of Jesus. The Christmas story is often wrapped in sentiment and celebration, but beneath it is a deeper joy that comes from recognition rather than comfort.
Understanding joy means embracing both the happiness and sorrow that comes with it. Scripture quietly reframes our understanding of joy. James writes, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.” (James 1:2–3). That verse is not asking us to enjoy hardship or pretend it does not hurt. It invites us to see trials through a wider lens. Joy is found not in the trial itself, but in what we know to be true while walking through it. God is at work even when the moment feels messy or unresolved.
Paul echoes this idea from an even more difficult place. Writing from prison, he says, “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.” (Philippians 4:4-5). Paul was not sheltered from suffering when he wrote those words. He had every reason, by human standards, to feel defeated. Yet his joy was rooted in something deeper than comfort or control. It was grounded in his relationship with God and the confidence that his life had meaning beyond immediate circumstances.
Joy, then, becomes an anchor. It reminds us why we stay engaged when quitting feels easier. It reminds us why love is worth the cost, why responsibility is worth the weight, and why faith is worth holding onto even when answers feel delayed. Joy does not eliminate grief or struggle, but it gives them context. It whispers that the story is not finished yet.
The wise men understood this knowing that when the Messiah had arrived, it would not be all sunshine and roses. There would be trials, challenges, and struggles that His present would present. However, they took solace in that He was the chosen one that had been prophesied, and in the end, victory would ultimately be theirs with Him. No uncertainty or fleeting moments of happiness. A continuous feeling that could only represent one thing: joy.
The birth of Christ is a reminder that in submittance to His will we will have joy everlasting. For many of us, joy fades when life feels heavy or uncertain. We wait for things to improve before we allow ourselves to experience it. Yet today’s verses show us that joy often is ongoing and not at the end. The wise men did not find joy once every question was answered. They found it when the star appeared again and they knew they were being faithfully guided. Joy is not a reward for problem-free living. It is the quiet confidence that God is present and leading, even when the path forward is still unfolding.
When in a season where joy feels distant, it may help to pause and reflect. Like the wise men who bowed and offered their gifts, let us remember joy often returns when we remember who we are following and why the journey is worth it. Where might you be mistaking happiness for joy, waiting on circumstances to change instead of anchoring yourself in what is already true? What responsibilities or relationships has God entrusted to you that, while difficult at times, are also meant to be a source of lasting joy? My prayer is that when life feels heavy, we are reminded of what truly matters and anchor our hearts in the joy that comes from knowing God is present and at work. Amen.