The Joy That Makes You Jump
There is an old story—so old that it never grows old. It’s the Christmas story. And every year, I find myself drawn back to it, not because it’s familiar, but because it’s foundational. Christmas isn’t about glittering decorations, crowded malls, or perfectly wrapped packages. Christmas is about Jesus.
God always had a plan.
Before Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, God had a plan—and Jesus was His name.
Before Abraham climbed Mount Moriah, God had a plan—and Jesus was His name.
Before David faced Goliath, before Daniel slept among lions, before Jonah ran the opposite direction—God had a plan.
And Jesus was His name.
That plan came into clearer focus one quiet day in the hill country of Judah, when a young girl named Mary hurried to the home of her older cousin Elizabeth.
Luke tells us that when Mary greeted Elizabeth, something extraordinary happened.
“When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Luke 1:41)
That baby was John—John the Baptist—only weeks old, hidden away in his mother’s womb. But make no mistake: this was no gentle flutter or ordinary movement. The original language tells us it was a gargantuan leap. An explosion of joy.
And here’s what I love most about this moment:
John didn’t leap because Mary entered the room.
He leapt because Jesus did.
Even before he could see Him, even before he could speak, John recognized the presence of the Lord. And there is only one proper response to the presence of Jesus—joy.
Psalm 16:11 tells us, “In Your presence there is fullness of joy.” Not partial joy. Not fleeting happiness. Fullness.
I often wonder if, as these cousins grew up, John kept jumping every time Jesus came near. Maybe Elizabeth, gracious and proper as she surely was, gently said, “John, dear, stop jumping.” And maybe John replied, “Mother, I can’t help it. Every time I’m near Jesus, my legs turn into kangaroo legs!”
You see, happiness and joy are not the same thing.
Happiness comes from happenings. It’s circumstantial. It’s fragile.
Joy comes from His presence—and nothing can take that away.
A house full of family may make you happy, but it won’t sustain you.
A tree surrounded by gifts may delight you, but it won’t anchor your soul.
Even cherished Christmas traditions, as sweet as they are, can’t produce lasting joy.
Joy isn’t at the mall.
It’s not for sale online.
It won’t arrive in a box on your doorstep.
Joy is found in one place and one place only: the presence of Jesus.
Years ago, I went searching for a definition of joy that truly captured its meaning. I grew tired of circular explanations—joy is gladness, joy is rejoicing. Finally, in an old Bible dictionary from the 1860s, I found it:
Joy is the atmosphere around the throne room of God.
Oh, friend—when Jesus came to earth that first Christmas, He brought the atmosphere of heaven with Him.
That means joy is available to you even in loss.
Even in waiting.
Even in heartbreak.
This Christmas, make room for His presence.
Sing the carols that tell the truth—Joy to the World, O Come All Ye Faithful, Hark the Herald Angels Sing.
Open your Bible and read the opening chapters of Matthew, Luke, and John.
Pray—for those you love, and especially for those who need Jesus desperately.
Prayer always ushers us back into His presence…where joy lives.
Christmas didn’t just make joy possible.
It made joy probable.
So this season, I invite you to respond the way John did.
Let your heart do the John jump.
Because with Jesus—always, and forever—there is fullness of joy.
Joy to the world.
The Lord has come.
Welcome back for another Christmas episode of the Significant Women Podcast with Carol McLeod! On today’s show Carol dives further into the Christmas story, exploring the role of John, Elizabeth, and the great joy of the season found in Christ’s coming.