Advent: Joy

As we continue in the celebration of Advent, this week we light the candle of Joy!

Christmas is the most joyous time of the year, not because of the lights and festivities, but because of what it signifies – the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. While the sparkle and wonder of the season can fill our hearts with happiness, there are other things that can weigh down our delight: sorrow, loss, loneliness, illness, heartbreak. All of these things can dampen our cheerfulness, to be sure, but they don’t have the power to overshadow our joy. Joy goes deeper than our circumstances. It transcends our immediate hardships and sorrows. Romans 12:12 says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” (NIV)

Even in the hard times, we can still hold on to joy because our joy is found in Jesus! “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” (Habakkuk 3:17-18 NIV)

Indeed, our true joy is found in our Lord and Savior! What a joyous gift we have been given in the birth of Christ. Because He came for us, to die on a cross to save our souls, we will have eternal life in Heaven someday. What a joyous day that will be, when we are reunited with our Father and our loving Jesus. For this very reason, we can, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV)

Indeed, at Christmastime and all the time we can find strength in knowing our Savior. Jesus supplies all the joy our hearts can hold! Jesus is our fullness of joy! “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.” (Psalm 5:11 NIV)

The joy of the Lord is your strength.

Nehemiah 8:10 NIV