The ARRIVAL ~ A Christmas Devotional - Day 18

John 15:11 – “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

Ever have one of those days where everything feels a little off? You’re busy, you’re tired, and it feels like joy is just out of reach? It happens to all of us. But here’s the thing, Jesus says something in John 15:11 that changes everything: His JOY is meant to be in us. And not just a little joy, but COMPLETE JOY.

In John Chapter 15, Jesus is wrapping up His time with the disciples, sharing some final words with them before everything changes. And what does He say? He’s been telling them all this so that His JOY could be in them. He’s not talking about a fleeting happiness tied to what’s happening around us. He’s talking about a JOY that comes from being with Him, from walking in His love. That’s the JOY that fills us up and makes everything else fade away.

Now, with Christmas right around the corner, it's easy to get caught up in the busyness of the season, shopping, cooking, decorating, planning. We might feel overwhelmed, or like we’re missing the point of it all. But Christmas is a perfect reminder that JOY isn’t about perfect plans or a picture-perfect holiday. It’s about the fact that God is with us, in the form of Jesus.

Emmanuel—God with us—means that His JOY is here, with us, every single moment. It’s not dependent on our circumstances but on His presence in our lives.

So, take a moment today, amidst the holiday hustle, to reflect on His love for you. Let His JOY fill your heart, knowing that He’s with you in all things, whether it’s the busy or the quiet, the highlights or the lowlights. Christmas reminds us that JOY doesn’t come from what we do, it comes from who He is and the fact that He’s right here with us.

Jesus wants His JOY to be in us, and He wants it to be complete. How amazing is that?

Prayer: Dear Lord, thank You for filling me with Your JOY! Help me to stop and remember that You are with me, walking alongside me every moment, especially in the busy moments of this Christmas season. Fill my heart with the JOY that only comes from You. ~ Amen