An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”
Luke 2:9-10 New International Version (NIV)
Joy to the World, the Lord is come. Let earth receive her King.
Simcha (Hebrew) – joy, gladness, delight, rejoicing, a joyous celebration
Chara (Greek) – joy, gladness, rejoicing
to experience joy, to rejoice, is to experience God’s grace
I will exalt you, Lord, for you rescued me.
You refused to let my enemies triumph over me.
O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
and you restored my health.
You brought me up from the grave, O Lord.
You kept me from falling into the pit of death.
Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones!
Praise his holy name.
For his anger lasts only a moment,
but his favor lasts a lifetime!
Weeping may last through the night,
but joy comes with the morning.
Psalm 30:1-5 New Living Translation (NLT)
When I was prosperous, I said,
“Nothing can stop me now!”
Your favor, O Lord, made me as secure as a mountain.
Then you turned away from me, and I was shattered.
I cried out to you, O Lord.
I begged the Lord for mercy, saying,
“What will you gain if I die, if I sink into the grave?
Can my dust praise you?
Can it tell of your faithfulness?
Hear me, Lord, and have mercy on me.
Help me, O Lord.”
You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.
You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing
praises to you and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever
Psalm 30:6-12 (NLT)
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”
Luke 2:9-10 New International Version (NIV)
Chara – Simcha : Joy, gladness, delight, rejoicing, a joyous celebration, a reason to dance
Are you experiencing God’s gift of joy in your life?