1. Christmas songs of “joy”
Joy to the world…
Good Christian men, rejoice…
Rejoice, rejoice, Emmanuel…
How great our joy…joy, joy, joy…
Oh, tidings of comfort and joy…
Joyful all ye nations, rise…

2. Wise men at Christmas Matthew 2:1-11 (v.1) “wise men from the East”
(v.7) “..the wise men…”
(v.10) “…they (the wise men) rejoiced with exceeding great joy”

3. Proverbs Wisdom for daily life “Joy” in Proverbs
--simchah (noun)—joy, gladness
--samach (verb)—to rejoice, to be glad

4. When do wise men rejoice?
Proverbs 14:10

5. Wise men rejoice when hope is holy
Proverbs 10:28
Expectation and Hope
Wicked and Righteous (position and practice)
Outcomes: perishing contrasted with joy
**Is your hope set apart to God? If so, rejoice! If not, commit to redirecting your hope to God.

6. Wise men rejoice when peace is promoted
Proverbs 12:20
Devising of evil = engraving and plowing
Evil deceives & divides; Peace unveils & unites
Isa. 9:6 “Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace
**Is there a relationship in which you can promote peace by promoting the Prince of Peace?

7. Wise men rejoice when encouragement is experienced
Proverbs 12:25
Anxiety results in depression
A good word results in encouragement and joy
**Are you in need of encouragement? Encourage someone else and they may encourage you in return!

8. Wise men rejoice when answers are appropriate
Proverbs 15:23
Questions deserve answers and an answerer
Appropriate answers are Biblically-based, Spirit-led, humbly shared, honestly offered
Inappropriate answers include those that are inaccurate, insensitive, or indefensible
**What topic will you study to be ready to answer?

9. Wise men rejoice when righteousness is rendered
Proverbs 21:15
Working iniquity produces trouble and sorrow
Doing justice produces joy
Where can I address injustice?
**What specific injustice can I address this week?

10. Wise men rejoice when maturity is manifested
Proverbs 23:15
A wise heart is manifested in wise attitudes and choices that are manifested in wise actions
Proverbs 10:1; 15:20; 17:21; 23:25; 27:11; 29:3
**Who is a younger believer whose maturity you can rejoice in right now?

11. When do wise men rejoice?
When hope is holy (10:28)
When peace is promoted (12:20)
When encouragement is experienced (12:25)
When answers are appropriate (15:23)
When righteousness is rendered (21:15)
When maturity is manifested (23:11)