Advent Words: Joy

Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. ~ Luke 2:9-11

One word of Advent is "rejoice," a verb. It is something we do.

I think of rejoicing as throwing a party. Something wonderful has happened and so we ring the bells, shout out loud, dance, and generally whoop it up.

Joy is another word for this week of Advent. A noun.

Sometimes joy makes us want to shout out loud. Sometimes it makes us want to rejoice and throw a party and whoop it up and dance.

But sometimes it is the a small, quiet nugget of light in our heart that warms us through and through.

Like the feel of the ocean breeze on your cheek as the sun sets to the west.

Or the sound of a nightingale singing on a warm summer evening.

In many ways, joy is ineffable - indescribable. It is more than happiness. It sneaks up on us.

And we can embrace it or ignore it as it bubbles up in our heart.

We all have different things that bring us joy.

But the angel promised the shepherds that there was one thing that was meant to bring joy to all.

And it came in the quiet though a baby's cooing and a mother's promise.

Joy is your gift to us all, Lord. Help me to hold on to it. Amen