ADVENT WEEK THREE: JOY
Click here to watch the Advent Week 3 video.
Scripture Focus:
Luke 2:1–10
Devotion Recap:
- The angel’s announcement ends with: “Good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”
- Christmas is overflowing with joy—joy in traditions, family time, giving, receiving, laughing, gathering.
- But the greatest joy of Christmas is that Christ has come.
- “Joy to the World” was not originally written as a Christmas song but as a poem about Jesus’ second coming!
- We celebrate both comings:
- He came once—just as God promised.
- He will come again—just as He promised.
- Joy is not the absence of sorrow; it is the presence of Christ.
Conversation Starters
Use these questions to help your family reflect on the true meaning of joy in Christ:
- What gives you joy?
What makes you smile or laugh? - Is joy the same as happiness?
How would you describe the difference? - What brings you joy at Christmas time?
Gifts? Family? Traditions? - How does the Christmas story bring joy to your heart?
- Can you have joy even when something difficult is happening?
Why or why not?
Family Christmas Activities
Each activity connects your family to the theme of JOY.
Choose one or try all three throughout the week.
1. Joy Jar
Begin a joy jar or journal to keep during the Christmas
season. When you struggle to celebrate or feel gratitude, it helps
to write down things to thank God for. Each day, write down
something that you are thankful for and/or that brings you joy.
If younger family members can’t write yet, have a parent write
it or have younger children draw what they are thankful for or that brings them joy. Place them in the jar and then take one out to read and talk about with family and friends each day at meal times, riding in the car together, or on your group text thread.
2. Joyful Acts of Service
Choose one simple way to bring joy to someone else by doing a chore for them without being asked, or a small act of kindness/service for them. Other ideas may be paying for the car behind you in the drive through line, taking the neighbors trash, delivering a meal/gift to a shut in.
3. Spread the Joy
Bring joy to someone through song! Make a quick, fun video of you and/or your family and friends singing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” (or any Christmas song!) and send it to someone that needs to be reminded of joy in a difficult season. Be as silly, creative, and fun as you want! Let them see your Christmas JOY!
Worship:
Listen to these Christmas Carols and Worship Songs to go along with this week’s Advent Devotion:
- “Joy to the World (Joyful, Joyful)” by Phil Wickham
- “Joy to the World (Unspeakable Joy)” by Chris Tomlin
- “Sounding Joy” by Ellie Holcomb
- “House of the Lord” by Phil Wickham
- “Rejoice” by Charity Gayle
- “Praise to the Lord” by Shane & Shane/Worship Initiative
