Some people at the beginning of each new year like to pick a word for their year. Perhaps kindness. Or peace. Or perseverance. Or patience. Something that the individuals want to improve in their day to day life. I’ve never done that. Never picked one word. I think I have too many words zooming around in my head to settle on one, but I like the word joy.
When you think of joy in the Biblical sense, it isn’t simply happiness although joy can give you a way to have a calm center that helps one know a kind of happiness whatever the circumstances. When you are joyful, you can laugh, but laughter isn’t necessary for joy. So, what is joy when you think of it in a spiritual way? Here’s what the internet said when I asked that question.
In the Bible, joy (Greek word: chara) is a deep, lasting spiritual gladness and contentment, distinct from fleeting worldly happiness, rooted in knowing and trusting God, His promises, and His presence through the Holy Spirit, enabling believers to find strength and rejoice even amidst trials and suffering.
At Christmas we have songs about joy. “Joy to the World” is a favorite song to sing at Christmas. The angels promised joy to the shepherds and to all people. But Christmas isn’t the only time to sing about joy.
If you’ve ever attended a Vacation Bible School as a kid or as an adult teacher, then you have probably sung the song “I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy” (down in my heart) many times. It’s a great song that is easy to sing and that makes you happy just to sing it or hear children singing it. At our Bible schools, we always clapped as we sang the chorus. It sort of seemed like we had to with all that happy singing.
It seems a perfect song to consider when thinking about joy. In our hearts is the perfect place for joy. Here are the verses that you hear most often.
I have the joy, joy, joy, joy,
Down in my heart, (where?)
Down in my heart, (where?)
Down in my heart,
I have 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 have the love of Jesus in my heart.
(Down in my heart)
And I’m so happy, so very happy
I have the love of Jesus in my heart.
I have the love of Jesus, love of Jesus,
Down in my heart, (where?)
Down in my heart, (where?)
Down in my heart,
I have the love of Jesus, love of Jesus,
Down in my heart, (where?)
Down in my heart to stay.
(Chorus)
I’ve got the peace that passeth understanding
Down in my heart, (where?)
Down in my heart, (where?)
Down in my heart,
I’ve got the peace that passes understanding
Down in my heart, (where?)
Down in my heart to stay.
(Chorus)
I’m thinking that by now many of you are either singing this in your head or maybe right out loud. There are other verses that can be added on. A preacher who led our church for many, many years before he moved on up to heaven to sing about joy liked to add one that said “I’ve got the wonderful love of my blessed Redeemer way down in my heart.”
“Joy In My Heart,” sometimes titled “I’ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy,” was written by George William Cooke who was born in Yorkshire, England in 1884 and died in Jamestown, New York in 1951. He wrote the song which was copyrighted in 1925 (but not renewed) while he was living in Delaware. Cooke was a minister and ran a Methodist camp that held gospel meetings and revivals. As a young man, he twice circled the globe on evangelistic tours. You have to wonder how many people he taught his joyful song. Those people shared that joy with others down through the years until the song spread throughout our country and the world. What a great way to share the gospel! And to feel that joy in our hearts.
The verse with the “peace that passeth understanding” is something most people need at some time in their lives when things don’t go the way you hope or when you lose a loved one or when troubles seem to be all around you. Peace can seem distant, perhaps impossible, but with God, nothing is impossible.
The Lord does promise us such peace in Philippians 4. I think Mr. Cooke must have read that chapter in the Bible as he came up with the words of his song.
1st Philippians 4:4 says, Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, rejoice. There’s the joy down in our hearts.
Then we have Philippians 4:6-7. Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (KJV)
May that peace be in your heart in this new year of 2026. I hope if you’ve ever sung this song or if it’s echoing through your mind right now, that it makes you feel that joy down in your heart.
Have you ever picked a word to help your journey through a new year? If so, what was it — if you want to share it?
(The pictures is from Vacation Bible School at our little church 20 years ago. All the kids are adults now. Some with children of their own. And some of the adults pictured are celebrating joy in heaven now. Also, if some of this post sounds like something you’ve read before, I did take a post I wrote in January 2021 and rewrote it for tonight.)
Comments 18
Joy is my FAVORITE word and I’ve had it more than once as my word of the year. As I type this, I’m singing the song you’ve mentioned but another VBS experience taught me that JOY should mean Jesus, Others, You. Always put Jesus and others ahead of yourself!
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That’s definitely good advice, Connie, and something good to teach kids in Bible school. I have never seen or heard that about J O Y. Jesus, Others, before You.
I love the word Joy too.
Just cannot read those words! You HAVE to sing them! VBS was one of my favorite thing to do in the summer! And no, I’ve never thought about a one “word” or any word really, for the new year.
Author
I think you’re right, Linda Dianne. You do have to sing those words even if it’s just singing them in your head. I didn’t go to very many Bible schools when I was a kid, but I sure enjoyed being a VBS teacher for many years at our small country church. We had such fun.
I Loved Vacation Bible school and all the Kiddo’s. There is a lot of memories in this picture. Thanks for sharing.
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We did have a great time with the kids in Bible school, didn’t we? You were always such fun to be around and always helped the kids have fun.
There were a lot of memories in that picture. How quickly the years pass.
And if the devil doesn’t like it he can sit on a tack
Sit on a tack
Sit on a tack to stay…..
Joy
Yes I have chosen words each year for several years.
I haven’t yet this year, but still want to.
Author
I hope you find the best word for you, Lisa, that will bring happiness and good thoughts to your year.
The kids at VBS loved singing the verse about the devil sitting on a tack. Kids can be such fun to be around.
Love the song! We always shouted “Where?” at the end of each “down in my heart.” 🙂
I also really liked the verse, “I have the wonderful love of my blessed Redeemer down in the depths of my heart.”
Fun memories.
Did you ever sing “And if the devil doesn’t like it, he can sit on a tack,” with the final response “sit on a tack to stay”
Author
We did always sing that verse about the devil sitting on a tack. The kids loved it but would sometimes get a little rowdy singing it. LOL. And we did have that final response too.
The preacher or whoever was leading the song would do the “where?” It is such a fun song. We always ended Bible school with a few songs each night. The kids also loved the one about roller skates and rolling right through those pearly gates. I can’t quite remember all the words now, but it was a fun song.
I sing the joy song with our grandkids. I also share with them that whenever I know they are coming to visit, I sing the words “Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy”. 🙂 I want them to know that Bop and Mimi are always excited to see them. 🙂
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How wonderful to greet your grandchildren with happiness and joy, Melissa. I know my grandkids brought me a lot of joy when they used to love come see grandma/grammy and pa. They’ve mostly all grown up now, but it’s still fun seeing them.
Hope you have many fun visits with your grandkids this year.
This is the first year I’ve chosen a focus word. After praying about it, I felt the word, “silence” should be the one. In a world of constant noise and many things clamoring for my attention, SILENCE seems a most difficult thing to achieve. However, in silence, it’s easier to hear that still, small voice of the Lord and to “be still and know” that He is God. (On a side note, I’m a talker and He’s working on that aspect, as well. 😬).
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I love that, Judi. Silence. A reminder to listen to the world around us. To listen to the Lord. To listen to our own thoughts.
Good for you, being able to choose the right word for your year.
Oh, and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being a talker. A talker can make others feel welcomed, can share good words, can fill awkward silences. Maybe I’m saying that because sometimes I’m a talker too. 🙂
I’ve heard some about it the last few years, and thought I’d give it a shot one year. However, it didn’t do well for me, so I’ve decided that’s something that doesn’t work for me. I’ve never tried it again, don’t feel led to try again, and I’m happy letting that slide on by!
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I’ve never picked a word for my year, Trudy. I think if I wrote it down or posted a word where I saw it often it might work for me. But then I like embracing different thoughts at different times. So we can just choose our word as free. Free from expectations. Free from guilt for not going along with the trend. Free to embrace whichever words work for us each day.
Hi Ann, I have used joy as my word for a few years past. Now, I have settled on appreciation. Instead of focusing on the pain, and the negative, focus on the blessing, and appreciate what is good. Also, thanks for sharing this song, as it brings back so many fond memories. God bless you and your family. Happy New Year!
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Appreciation ties in with joy in many ways, Carrie. Joy is our daily life makes us appreciate the good around us. Focus on our blessings and the good. What a great attitude to have.