The Spirit of Joy 

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Joy is an essential element of the Christmas spirit; in the Bible, angels describe the birth of Jesus as “good news that will bring great joy to all people” (Luke 2:10). 

God’s plan is to fill our lives with joy that can remain steadfast in any circumstance or situation. This type of joy is a powerful force that drives us forward, transforms our relationships, and leads us to the beautiful life God has planned for us. 

Jesus reveals two contrasting approaches to joy in a story often called the Parable of the Lost Son. One approach brings unbreakable strength to overcome heartache and loss, while the other leads to frustration and resentment.

In this first section of the story, let’s pay attention to the father’s decision to celebrate: 

Then Jesus said, “Once there was a father with two sons. [12] The younger son came to his father and said, ‘Father, don’t you think it’s time to give me my share of your estate?’ So the father went ahead and distributed between the two sons their inheritance. [13] Shortly afterward, the younger son packed up all his belongings and traveled off to see the world. He journeyed to a far-off land where he soon wasted all he was given in a binge of extravagant and reckless living. [14] With everything spent and nothing left, he grew hungry, because there was a severe famine in that land…

[20] “So the young son set off for home. From a long distance away, his father saw him coming, dressed as a beggar, and great compassion swelled up in his heart for his son who was returning home. The father raced out to meet him, swept him up in his arms, hugged him dearly, and kissed him over and over with tender love.  

[21] “Then the son said, ‘Father, I was wrong. I have sinned against you. I could never deserve to be called your son. Just let me be—’ 

“The father interrupted and said, ‘Son, you’re home now!’ 

[22] Turning to his servants, the father said, ‘Quick, bring me the best robe, my very own robe, and I will place it on his shoulders… [23] Let’s prepare a great feast and celebrate. [24] For my beloved son was once dead, but now he’s alive! Once he was lost, but now he is found!’ And everyone celebrated with overflowing joy.

Luke 15:11-14, 20-24 TPT

In this story, the father chose to celebrate with his son rather than resent him for leaving their family. His joy transcended his son’s mistakes and poor choices. His response reflects God’s unwavering faithfulness despite our unfaithfulness, and provides us with a roadmap to imitate his love for those who may reject, betray, or otherwise disappoint us.

Our belief that God loves us in this way is the ultimate source of unbreakable joy. 

Now let’s look at a different approach to joy in his older son as the story continues:

“Now, the older son was out working in the field when his brother returned, and as he approached the house, he heard the music of celebration and dancing. He called over one of the servants and asked, ‘What’s going on?’ 

“The servant replied, ‘It’s your younger brother. He’s returned home and your father is throwing a party to celebrate his homecoming.’

 “The older son became angry and refused to go in and celebrate. So his father came out and pleaded with him, ‘Come and enjoy the feast with us!’ 

 “The son said, ‘Father, listen! How many years have I worked like a slave for you, performing every duty you’ve asked as a faithful son? And I’ve never once disobeyed you. But you’ve never thrown a party for me because of my faithfulness. Never once have you even given me a goat that I could feast on and celebrate with my friends as this son of yours is doing now.  Look at him! He comes back after wasting your wealth on prostitutes and reckless living, and here you are throwing a great feast to celebrate—for him!’ 

 “The father said, ‘My son, you are always with me by my side. Everything I have is yours to enjoy. It’s only right to rejoice and celebrate like this, because your brother was once dead and gone, but now he is alive and back with us again. He was lost, but now he is found!’ ”

Luke 15:25-32 TPT

The older brother in the story refused to celebrate. His response to his brother’s return and his father’s celebration reveals his approach to joy. He tried to find joy through control—controlling his behavior and attempting to control the way his father treated him in return. 

When his brother’s return revealed that the father’s love was unearned, the older brother’s carefully constructed world collapsed. His bitterness at his father’s celebration reveals how he had been comparing himself to his brother rather than enjoying his father’s love, showing how comparison can both steal and poison our joy.

The unbreakable spirit of joy 

The father’s unbreakable joy is what allows him to forgive the hurt and welcome the restoration of his son. It is a transformative force, inspiring other people to join in his celebration and forming a new bond with his younger son. His spirit is unbroken even by the distance of his younger son and the accusations and anger of his older son. 

The father’s response to his older son (“It’s only right to rejoice and celebrate”) demonstrates that joy is ultimately a choice; we allow it to be stolen or poisoned when we choose resentment over celebration.

The spirit of joy in Elf 

In Elf, Buddy embodies the unshakeable joy of the father in the parable, who maintains his capacity for celebration despite disappointment. Buddy’s relentless optimism persists even when faced with rejection and ridicule. His journey demonstrates several key parallels to what we see in Scripture. 

1. Joy is a transformative force.

• Buddy’s childlike exuberance gradually softens even the hardest hearts.
• His persistent joy, like the father’s love in Luke 15, creates new relationships and reconciles old ones.
• His celebration of simple pleasures reminds others how to experience wonder.

2. Joy overcomes cynicism.

• Walter (Buddy’s father) begins like the older brother in the parable of Jesus— cynical and cold.
• Buddy’s unrelenting joy challenges Walter’s worldview.
• No matter what happens in his relationship with Walter or others, Buddy will not allow anyone to steal or poison his joy.

Buddy’s relationships and encounters with people show how the spirit of joy can break down the walls of skepticism, conquer obstacles to our faith, and allow God to move powerfully to make even our wildest dreams come true.

How do we apply this today?

Joy is not merely an emotion but a spiritual force; it is a choice to embrace a fighting spirit that allows us to persevere through pain and loss. Like the father in the parable and Buddy in Elf, we can choose joy even when circumstances suggest otherwise. We can choose joy by believing in the love and faithfulness of God, knowing that he loves us even when we don’t deserve it. 

By choosing joy, we give God an open door into our life to make the dreams he places on our hearts become reality.

What can I do now? 

• Choose your source of joy. Derive your joy from your complete trust in God’s faithful care for you rather than your circumstances. 
• Refuse to allow anyone or anything to steal your joy. This means rejecting bitterness and examining whether comparison or entitlement has poisoned your joy. Your joy is the spiritual force of faith at work in your life shouting that what you believe will come to pass, glorifying God and ensuring the outcome of your life will be a beautiful one. 
• Create joy: Like Buddy, let your authentic enthusiasm inspire others. Plan specific ways to bring joy to others this Christmas season.
• Choose celebration: Make intentional decisions to celebrate simple pleasures and everyday miracles.