Joy to the World, the Lord has come!  Most everyone has heard this song.  This is what Christmas is about.  The Lord coming to earth as a child, the King of kings, the Lord of lords to bring peace and joy to those who believe and follow Him.

Chara means joy, gladness, or a source of joy.  When it isn’t used in the generic humanly sense of joy, for instance, “I take great joy in seeing you,” it is a “joy because of grace”.  (biblehub.com)  It’s a kind of joy that you can only understand if you’ve received the grace of God into your life.  A joy that lasts even during hardships, because despite any problems in this world, we know that God has overcome this world.

I found this statement from wenstrom.org interesting: “Chara is not just inward, but has cause and finds expression thus aims at sharing.”  This makes sense.  If you really have the joy of the Lord in your life, you want to share it.  I really enjoyed looking up all the verses that have chara in them.

Verses:

Matthew 2:10 NASB  When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly, with great joy.

Matthew 13:20 NIV  The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.

Matthew 28:8 ESV  So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.

Luke 1:14 KJV  And thou shalt have joy and gladness, and many shall rejoice at his birth.

Luke 2:10 NIV  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”

Luke 15:7 NASB  I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

John 3:29 NIV  The bride belongs to the bridegroom.  The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice.  That joy is mine and it is now complete.

John 15:11 KJV  These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

John 16:20-22 NASB   Truly, truly, I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will grieve, but your grief will be turned into joy.  Whenever a woman is in labor she has pain, because her hour has come; but when she gives birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish because of the joy that a child has been born into the world.  Therefore you too have grief now; but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.

Acts 13:52 ESV  And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Romans 14:17 NIV  For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy spirit.

2 Corinthians 1:24 NASB  Not that we lord it over your faith, but are workers with you for your joy; for in your faith you are standing firm.

Galatians 5:22 ESV  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Philippians 2:2 NIV  Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of mind.

Colossians 1:11 ESV  Being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;  (Many versions change ‘with joy’ to joyously.)

1 Thessalonians 2:19-20  KJV  For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing?  Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy.

Hebrews 12:2 NASB  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 13:17 NIV  Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account.  Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.  (I like this.  Help your leaders to take joy in their work.  Don’t hinder them.)

James 1:2-3  NIV  Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  (One of my favorite verses.)

James 4:8-10 ESV (verse 9 has chara, but out of context it could be confusing)  Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.  Be wretched and mourn and weep.  Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom.  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

1 Peter 1:8  KJV  Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

3 John 1:4 NASB  I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.

The G/K number for chara is 5915.

The Strong’s number for chara is 5479.