FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: JOY

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

JOY
Read: Luke 2:8–20
("Shepherds Visit" on p277-281 in The Beginner's Bible)

Questions for kids:
What was the joyful news the angel brought?
Who was the baby that was born who made everyone so happy?
When do usually celebrate the baby who was born? (Christmas)
When are you joyful?
Can you show what you do when you are joyful? (Examples, smile, laugh, dance, jump, etc.)
Can you sing a joyful song? Dance a joyful dance?

Activities:
(1) Decorate cards for others or draw on a piece of paper a picture of yourself being joyful.

(2) Play some upbeat Christian music and dance the joy of the Lord. (A few song suggestions: Martha Munizzi’s Glorious, Fred Hammond’s The Spirit of the Lord). Have additional fun with freeze dance, or musical chairs.

Songs:
Joy to the World
Lyrics:
Joy to the World , the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

"I've Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy Down in My Heart" (Listen here)
Lyrics:
I've got the joy
I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart, (where?)
down in my heart, (where?), down in my heart,
I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart, (where?) down in my heart to stay.

Chorus:
And I'm so happy, so very happy. I've got the love of Jesus in my heart. And I'm so happy, so very happy. I've got the love of Jesus in my heart

Additional Verses:
I've got the peace that passes understanding down in my heart
I've got the love of Jesus, love of Jesus, down in my heart
I've got the wonderful love of my blessed redeemer way down in the depths of my heart