Advent Week 4: Joy

Joy is easy to write about this time of year.

Joy is also hard to write about this time of year.

The joy candle in the celebration of advent is also known as the shepherd's candle. It represents the joy the shepherds experienced at the news of the birth of Christ.

"But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.'" - Luke 2:10-22

During the darkest time of the night, the angels appeared singing praises and delivered the best news the world had ever received.

I know there are all too many of you reading that are mourning or remembering someone you lost during Christmas time years ago. There are some that are feeling overwhelmed with the busy-ness of this season trying to plan time for all the special activities. There are others facing family conflicts attempting to repair broken relationships over dinner.

I see you, and I want to start off by saying that it's okay if you don't feel happy every day of Christmas season. It's okay if it's hard for you to celebrate for whatever reason.

But I also want to give you this encouragement: You can still have joy too.

It's easy to get stuck in the mindset of, "It's not supposed to be this way" and you're right, it's not. And it won't be forever! That's where our joy comes from.

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" - Philippians 4:4-5

Yes, it's possible to hold joy and sorrow, grief and celebration at the same time. Because joy has to do with something much deeper than your circumstances. You may have heard it said that happiness is determined by what is happening, but joy persists despite what's happening.

Jesus is known as a man of sorrow, and he is God! He experienced grief, anguish, and sorrow during His time on earth. Do you think that means his joy faltered for even a moment? Of course not!

When we are experiencing sorrow and pain, we can take those things to Jesus, who can empathize with us and restore our joy.

"Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." - Psalm 51:12

Nobody can take your joy unless you let them. This means no matter what circumstances you face, your joy cannot be taken from you, so don't give it away!

The other piece to that scripture tells us that God fills us with joy. We cannot will ourselves to experience this deep, sustaining joy. It is a gift from God to us. Ask Him to grant you a willing spirit to receive it and then open yourself up to it.

How might you do that?

I'm so glad you asked! The answer is simple: spend time with the Lord.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness..." - Galatians 5:22

Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, which means we experience joy as we experience God. Spending time with Him - in His word, worship, and prayer - is how we open ourselves up to receive His joy.

So, wherever you're at this holiday season, my prayer for you is to find rest in the joy of the Lord as you reflect on Jesus' first arrival on earth and look forward with hope to the next one.

"Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!" - 2 Corinthians 9:15

Merry Christmas, everyone!