How often do you hear the statement, “I just want her to be happy.”
Happy. Happiness is great… but what if we instead would say, “I what him to have joy.”
Joy, to me, seems supremely greater than happiness. Joy is something my heart deeply desires. It isn’t dependent upon circumstances. It’s that deep abiding sense of well-being that transcends our situations.
Meeting an old friend on the street, hearing a humorous joke, or watching a comedy may induce the feeling of happiness. Yet, if that old friend were to meet you for lunch and you were to have a true heart to heart conversation, you know the kind where time stood still, you would undoubtedly leave that encounter with a joyful heart because you had that heart to heart connection. Joy is something deep, soul-reaching, and vibrant.
As I was preparing to write this post I was praying and the Holy Spirit brought this verse to mind…
He saw the joy ahead of him, so he endured death on the cross and ignored the disgrace it brought him.
When Jesus came to earth as a babe He could only have gone through the humiliation, rejection, and abandonment because of the joy ahead.
What was that joy?
The joy in knowing that He could (did) make a way for each of us to come to the Father through Him so that we could one day be with Him forever. To be joint heirs with Him.
That joy was found in His redeeming love. The most perfect kind of love there could ever be.
So today, as we light the third Advent candle, the pink candle, the candle of JOY… we light it not just for Mary’s joy in being chosen by God to assist in physically ushering in the King of Kings and Lord of Lords… though that joy was so incredible that she sang scripture, now known as the Magnificat.
Mary said,
“My soul praises the Lord’s greatness!
My spirit finds its joy in God, my Savior,
because he has looked favorably on me, his humble servant.
“From now on, all people will call me blessed
because the Almighty has done great things to me.
His name is holy.
But, we light it for the joy that is ahead. The joy that gave Jesus not just the reason, but the will and perseverance to endure human life, untold suffering, and even death. This incredible joy is what we want to be birthed in our souls.
More than the merriment and festivity of the Christmas season, we want that deep-seated joy to infuse us, body, soul, and mind.
More than the merriment and festivity of the Christmas season, we want that deep-seated joy to infuse us, body, soul, and mind.Click To Tweet
More than anything we want Jesus… who demonstrated what it meant to love beyond measure.
We want the joy of Mary, the angels, and the shepherds…
but even more…
we want the joy that only comes from following Jesus and knowing that one day we will see him face to face and receive all that He has been planning for us.
Life might not be easy for you right now. I get it. Tim and I have received one crazy curveball after another. Seemingly hitting more walls and closed doors than we ever thought possible.
Yet, we do not walk alone or abandoned. As Christ followers we have the confidence that not only has Jesus walked ahead of us, experiencing our pain and despair; He walks with us today so we are never alone, encouraging us to lean on Him and receive from Him what we need for each day.
Whatever your circumstance…
Be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.
Joy.
May your heart be filled with the joy that only Jesus brings.
And this Christmas may your heart overflow with that joy… bringing light and life and hope to others.
Praying you have a truly joy-filled Christmas…
It’s JoyDay!
And time to get our joy meters soaring!
Please join me in thinking back over the past week and counting seven things for which you are thankful. This simple exercise of counting and giving thanks together in this space is something we do each week to reset our compasses and put our eyes back on the Lord.
I’ll start…
Thank you, God…
- for sending Jesus, Who for the JOY ahead endured the cross to bring us everlasting life.
- for a lot of work in one week and giving me the stamina to accomplish it.
- for my dear blogging friends and our little community of encouragement.
- for the sweet little tree I put up last night and the treasure of those vintage ornaments with their memories.
- for good light for my little photo shoot… light is everything. And for reminding me of that special camera setting.
- for extra work for Tim these past two weeks.
- for your amazing love and grace. May we not just savor and keep it in our hearts, but let it spill over on others.
Now…it’s YOUR turn!
List your ‘seven’ in the ‘share your extraordinary thoughts’ section below. You’ll be glad you did.
Ideas for helping you find JOY in observing Advent…
Easy to Make an Advent Candle Wreath | Celebrate Christmas with Peace and Purpose
How to Make Coastal Advent Candles :: Preparing My Heart for Christmas
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Thank You God….
l. For this joyous Advent season preparing to Celebrate the birth of Our Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Great Gift to Mankind!
2.For God’s unfailing Love and Mercy….
3. For a wonderful “Christmas Gathering” and fellowship with Dear Friends…
4. For a fun filled morning helping a Friend and neighbor, who is suffering with a debilitating back problem, decorate her tree…’
5. For a Christian work environment…
6. For bringing to light a person that I need to forgive….
7. For your unconditional Love and infinite patience with me…
And thank you God for my friend Debbi, whose heart is always turned towards you, always seeking you with a grateful heart. This week, Lord, bless her with little surprises throughout her days that show your amazing love and goodness. And may her heart overflow with the JOY of Christmas!
Thanks Diane for this very uplifting devotional! You’ll never know how much I needed to read it! God bless!
Ruth… you just made my day! I am so blessed to be a part of how God works in our lives. His timing is always perfect.
May you and yours have a most JOYous Christmas!
This was so lovely. Thank you! I am enjoying advent so so much this year. Looking forward to the joy of heaven! But I am so very blessed here on earth. ❤️
Merry Christmas Rachel!
Thank you for taking the time to leave your kind words!
May your new year be blessed beyond imagination!