Joy

The 1719 English hymn "Joy to the World" is a popular Christmas carol. It was written by the English minister and hymnist Isaac Watts.

Joy is a feeling of exuberant happiness experienced at a particular time. It is referenced frequently in the Old and New Testaments, most notably in Luke 2:10-11:

"When an angel appeared to shepherds in the Galilean countryside to announce the birth of a Savior, he said, "Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord."

Joy is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit. It is considered by many Christians as a foretaste of heaven itself.

The confident expectation of Christian hope in the "sure and certain" knowledge of resurrection to eternal life in God, through the purchase of salvation by the redeeming sacrifice of Jesus Christ, is the cause of sustained joy in the midst of the temporary trials and griefs and disappointments of life (see Philippians 3:8-16; James 1:12; Hebrews chapters 12–13). Christian hope is rooted firmly in the joy of the assured and confident expectation of good guaranteed by the unbreakable promises of God through the Lord Jesus Christ.

Bible and Christianity on joy

The Bible is the best-selling book of all time.^[1]

Between 5 to 7 billion Bibles have been published.

Bible verses on joy

Bible verses on joy, BibleStudyTools.com
Bible verses on joy, OpenBible.info
Bible verses on joy
50 Inspiring Bible Verses on Joy to Feed Your Soul

Christianity and articles/sermons on joy

What Is Joy in Christianity?, Christianity.com
Joy (Chara) Advent Word Study, BibleProject.com
A theology of joy
What Is the Difference Between Happiness and Joy?, Compasssion International
What the Bible Says About Joy, Compassion International
The Joy of God in Us
The Beauty of Seeking Both Joy and Happiness in Christ, BibleStudyTools.com
Joy, Biblehub.com

Videos:

Joy (Bible/theology) - video playlist, video playlist
Fullness of Joy: A Biblical Theology of God - video playlist, Video playlist, Reformed Forum

Key ways to cultivate joy

The half a glass of water helps illustrates of two different mental attitudes, optimism (half full) and pessimism (half empty)

Spiritual development/growth and practices.

Character development. See: Virtue

Gratitude practice: Dedicate time each day to write down or mentally acknowledge things you are thankful for, big or small.

Optimism, positive thinking/attitude, Positive self-talk: Repeat positive statements about yourself/circumstances to boost your mood.

Mindfulness: Pay attention to the present moment and actively notice positive experiences in your daily life.

Social connection: Spend quality time with supportive friends and family. See: Social network and Social influence

Meaningful activities: Pursue hobbies and interests that bring you genuine happiness.

Acts of kindness/charity: Doing things to help others, like offering a compliment or volunteering.

Time in nature: Spend time outdoors to appreciate the beauty of your surroundings. See also: Argument from beauty

Self-care routine: Incorporate activities that nourish your body and mind, like exercise, relaxation techniques, and healthy eating.

Practice forgiveness

Limit negative thoughts/emotions and exposure to negative people or people with toxic personality traits: Be conscious of negative thoughts and actively focus on the positive aspects of your life. See: Social influence and Social network and Social intelligence