• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Observe Advent
  • The Jesse Tree
  • Resources
  • About
  • Privacy

Ilona's Advent Blog

Looking forward to a Christian Christmas

Is Happiness the Same as Joy?

20.12.17 | The Candlelighter | No Comments

christmas is a joyful season

It seems as though words so closely linked as “joy” and “happiness” would become interchangeable in our minds. Perhaps seeing the difference as degree, but are we causing some emotional confusion when we make happiness and joy so alike?

Pursuing happiness is a major activity, and we like to say “whatever makes you happy” as a kind of modern blessing pronounced on most anything. As a motivation that concerns most everyone, we even have research and studies on what “happiness” is, including how it is experienced by people, and how to attain it.

daily affirmation
Joy is not given as much attention

Joy seems much more accidental, with an idea of a feeling of sudden bliss or gladness. But the Bible makes clear that joy is much more a result of a decision on our parts than the fleeting and ephemeral feelings of happiness.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Gratefulness and joy are as much a decision of the day as deciding to pray.

Choose Joy

[su_box title=”Wonderful World” style=”default” box_color=”#8ba9bd” title_color=”#000000″ radius=”3″ class=””]Today find someone who is experiencing some success or has had good news or promotion; actively rejoice with that person over their good fortune.

Remember a past success of your own; share the memory of it with those you are with, rejoice in it today.[/su_box]

A Scripture for Meditation

Hebrew 1: 8-9
But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.

Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

Holding a sceptre
Holding a sceptre

Past Devotionals for Day 18

  • Joy Giving from the topics for 2016
  • Happiness Is…, find out more in the post from 2015
  • Sugarplums from 2014
  • Why Bethlehem? 2013
  • The Scepter

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • More
  • Print
  • Email
  • Tumblr
  • Reddit
  • LinkedIn
  • Pocket

Related

← Previous Post
We Are Small
Next Post →
Humbly Welcome the King of Kings

About The Candlelighter

I love Christmas and one of my favorite parts of are the Advent preparations. I have made this site since starting to create Christmas pages for Ilona's Reflecting Pool.

Primary Sidebar

Most Recent

  • Little Christmas Project Done in Single Day
  • Christmas Carols: Good King Wenceslas

Ideas

  • Our Advent Log
  • Advent Wreath
  • Symbols
  • Resources

Christmas Is Coming!

  • Holiday Planning
  • Christmas Decor
  • Tree Themes
  • Advent Traditions

Latest Advent Devotions

  • Little Christmas Project Done in Single Day
  • Christmas Carols: Good King Wenceslas
  • First Sunday of Advent

Categories

Treats

christmas joy

Candle of Joy Compilation

For an Advent wreath, this is the pink candle, or the "Candle of Joy". We move closer to the celebration of Christmas, and we may make a choice to … [Read More...] about Candle of Joy Compilation

More Posts from this Category

Goodies ‘N Sweets

The Christmas Cookie

Candy Cane Cupcakes

view more

Tags

Abraham advent Advent traditions angels awaken candle of hope candle of joy candle of love candle of peace candy cane carol carols Christian symbols Christmas crafts Christmas story crown day 9 faith giving giving God's love God's love hope Isaiah Jesse tree Jesus Joseph joy kids activity king light of the world love lyrics Mary Messiah music nativity peace preparations promises of God recipe seed faith song star thankfulness wise men

Carols

Christmas Carols: Good King Wenceslas

All Through the Night Lyrics

coloring book bethlehem

Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem

Meditations

fairyland canyon starry night

We Are Small

In our world, we are small, and likewise, in the universe our world is infinitesimal. Many people … [Read More...] about We Are Small

Unexpected Places

You must admit that God chooses some unexpected places to show up. Bethlehem might have seemed … [Read More...] about Unexpected Places

gift giving

God Is A Giver

Much of the message we hear during Christmas is that of giving and receiving. It is everywhere, and … [Read More...] about God Is A Giver

More Posts from this Category

Past Devotionals

Footer

You might also like

christmas joy

Candle of Joy Compilation

christmas peace message

Acts of Peace in a Warring World

Comfort and Joy on Day Four

Ilona’s Advent Blog

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Copyright © 2023 · LovingChristmas

Hazel Theme by Code + Coconut