"To see the dull indifference, the negligent and thoughtless air that sits upon the faces of the whole assembly, while the psalm is upon their lips, might even tempt a charitable observer to suspect the fervency of their inward religion". - Isaac Watts, writer of Joy to the World

"Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets". - 2 Samuel 6:14-15 (NIV)

"I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes". - 2 Samuel 6:21b-22 (NIV)

"My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found". - Luke 15:31-32 (NIV)

"Everyone is invited to the party and you can choose not to go, but there's going to be a party whether you attend it or not". – Joyce Meyer

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me". – Psalm 51:10-12 (NIV)

"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all the nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel". - Luke 2:29-32 (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 develops perseverance". - James 1:2-3 (NIV)

"I have learned to kiss the wave that slams me into the Rock of Ages" – Charles Spurgeon

"Joy is not necessarily the absence of suffering, it is the presence of God". – Sam Storms

“When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh". - Matthew 2:10 -11 (NIV)

J-O-Y = JESUS 1st, OTHERS 2nd, YOURSELF last