Advent: Got Joy?

Written by Kate Powell 

Do you remember the iconic “Got Milk?” commercial that was first launched in 1993? Even as a young teenager I remember thinking how genius this sales ad was to highlight the frustration of not having milk. “Got Milk” worked because it exposed what people didn’t have or didn’t want to run out of. And honestly, joy can feel the same way. 

We see the word everywhere- on Christmas cards, coffee mugs, front porch signs, yet many of us move through our days realizing… we’re running low. Or running on empty. Or wondering if we ever truly have joy in the first place.

What do you think of when you hear the word joy? 

Some people immediately feel the warm-and-fuzzies — that bubbling, happy spark. Others hear the word joy and feel almost discouraged, like it’s something just out of reach. And for many, joy is simply misunderstood. We confuse it with surface-level happiness, good moods, or life going “our way.” 

But what does the Bible actually say about joy? And what does it mean to live with biblical joy — the kind that stays? The Apostle Paul says this: 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.” — Galatians 5:22

The fruit of the Spirit is not something we earn or achieve — it’s something we receive. A gift. A divine deposit. A spiritual inheritance. 

But here’s the question: Do we actually accept it? Do we let this fruit live and breathe and influence our thoughts, our reactions, our decisions, our outlook? Do we allow the joy God gives to actually change us? Because what the Lord gives, the world cannot take away.

Joy Robbers Are Real!

Even though joy is planted in us, many things try to choke it out. 

• Fear is a joy-robber. 
• Comparison is a joy-robber. 
• Control, insecurity, resentment, hurry, “what-ifs” — all joy-robbers. 

Sometimes we think our joy is fragile, easily stolen, easily broken. But the truth is, joy is only vulnerable when we stop protecting it with truth. Jesus said: 
 
“No one will take your joy from you.” — John 16:22 
 
So if something stole our joy… 
Chances are we gave it permission. 
 
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” — Nehemiah 8:10 
 
Strength. Stability. Deep endurance. 
Some psychologists say the most vulnerable emotion we feel is joy. Think about that. 
Not fear. 
Not sadness. 
Not anger. 
Joy! 
  

Because joy exposes us. It requires openness. It requires trust. And this is where many of us get stuck. When we get close to joy —when we feel something good, hopeful, or beautiful — we can immediately “dress rehearse” tragedy. We tell ourselves: 

• “What if something bad happens?” 
• “What if this doesn’t last?” 
• “What if the other shoe drops?”   

We live braced for disappointment, so we never fully let ourselves feel joy. 
This is not biblical joy. Its self-protection disguised as wisdom.

So What Is Biblical Joy? Biblical joy is not a feeling that depends on circumstances — it’s a confidence that God is who He says He is. It’s the steady assurance that: 

• God is good. 
• God is with me. 
• God is working. 
• God is faithful. 
• God is for me.

Joy is the supernatural calm that says: 

• “I may not know what tomorrow holds, but I know Who holds me.” 
• Joy is not fragile — it’s fierce. 
• Joy is not shallow — it’s rooted. 
• Joy is not naïve — it’s anchored. 

There is a moment in John 15 where Jesus pulls His disciples in close and says something incredibly tender: 

“These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” — John 15:11 
 
This verse sits right in the middle of Jesus’ teaching about the vine and the branches – one of His most intimate conversations before the cross. He is preparing His followers for a future that would feel uncertain and overwhelming, and He anchors them with a promise: Real, lasting joy comes from staying connected to Him. 

1. “These things I have spoken to you” 
“These things” refers to everything He just taught in John 15:1–10: 

• Stay connected to Him like a branch to a vine
• Obey His commands 
• Remain in His love 

2. “That my joy may be in you” 
Jesus is not talking about: 

Jesus is telling them why He gave those instructions. 

• happiness 
• positive feelings 
• momentary relief 

He means HIS OWN JOY- the joy that comes from: 

• Being in perfect relationship with the Father 
• Living with complete purpose
• Walking in love and obedience
• Having unbroken communion with God 

It is a divine joy, not human joy. Jesus wants the same joy He has to live inside His followers. 

3. “That your joy may be full” 
“Full” means: 

• Complete 
• Abundant 
• Overflowing 
• Lacking nothing 

From the mouth of Jesus himself, he is saying “If you stay connected to Me, you won’t just have a little joy- you will have complete, overflowing joy.” This joy: 

• Isn’t shaken by circumstances 
• Isn’t based on feelings 
• Isn’t temporary 
• Isn’t dependent on success or people 

It is supernatural joy that comes from staying close to Jesus. So maybe the prayer today is simple: 

“Holy Spirit, I receive the joy You’ve already placed inside me. Help me recognize joy-robbers. Help me lean into vulnerability. Help me practice gratitude. And help me live in the kind of joy the world can’t take away.” 

Joy isn’t just something you have — it’s something you let happen. And it’s already waiting inside you. I pray you and your family can experience the joy of the Lord in this season!