Joy seems to be much more a Christmas thing than an Advent thing. We most associate Joy with a sense of relief, accomplishment and finality. Things that are right at home in the birth story of Jesus.
But remember, Advent is a time of waiting. And on this third week of Advent, we are introduced to another form of Joy that is not dependent on a specific outcome. The Joy that comes as a fruit of our connection with Jesus that shows up amid all that is yet to be completed.
This experience of Joy is not only unexpected, but it is also subversive. We know that Joy comes with the morning (Psalm 30:5) but who would expect to experience joy in the dark of the night, while the sunrise is still such a long way off? How do we find this unexpected Joy in our waiting?
By Changing our
In our times of waiting, like Advent, we become acutely aware of what is wrong in our lives and in our world and how desperately we need a savior. BUT if we only see what is wrong, we have already given in to the oppressive forces of death and decay.
The difference in response is not really in the age, it’s in the perspective. One group saw that things were not as they used to be and not as they should be and wept. The other was able to look at the exact same situation as see what God was doing and restoring and shouted aloud with great Joy.
Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.
In this sense Joy is defiant. Like a wildflower finding its way through the cracks of the asphalt. Joy says that God has the last word, that God is still at work in the midst of my situation.
Let’s be clear however- we are not talking about simply putting on a happy face. Joy cannot be faked or manufactured (for long).Joy is foremost a fruit of the spirit. In that sense it grows as we connect with God. Like any fruit, Joy is something that we can squash or nurture. It is the spirit’s fruit, but the soil it grows in is ours.
How can we learn, in cooperation with the Spirits work within us, to change our perspective and learn to see the joy that comes or in the waiting?
By Growing in
Psalm 95:2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! - There is an inherent connection between thanksgiving/gratitude and joy.
Philippians 4:6 The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Joy comes naturally as a result of being given good gifts. If we are not used to seeing them, it can take practice and effort to recognize and name the gifts we receive.
A gift is anything good that you did not create or make happen for yourself. It can be anything from your favorite snack to a smile on a stranger’s face, to the beauty of a sunset to a coffee with a friend.
James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights
Throughout the week, look for gifts in your life with a goal in mind of listing 50 gifts before the end of the week. Use this Gratitude Tracker
When joy begins to take root, we become changed, we become more joyous people. A people who shine the light of God’s present Kingdom in a dark world
Luke 2:10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.