“For it is good to be children sometimes, and never better than at Christmas, when its mighty Founder was a child himself.”
– Charles Dickens
We are now halfway through Advent; as a child, my anticipation was just beginning to reach a fever pitch. Christmas is right around the corner and we have now lit two of the candles on our Advent wreath. This week our candle is pink in color and “joy” is how we should be centered. Biblically, joy has us, again, looking to the future.
We often mistake “joy” for simple excitement and happiness. The Joy of Advent is much deeper than the often fleeting nature of happiness. This Joy is based on the solid foundation of God’s promises and gifts. The early disciples must have been full of God’s joy. They had witnessed so much. No matter how Paul was treated by those he was converting, he continued on. Paul realized that his earthly discomforts were temporary and would ultimately be replaced by the promises that Jesus has given us.
Paul’s epistle to the Philippians encapsulates the joy that marks our faith in God’s eternal love and mercy. Philippians 4:4 says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice.” Our belief in Jesus and the knowledge that that means eternal life for us should make it easy to have joy knowing that this life is but part of the journey that leads us to paradise.
"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know."
John 14:1-4 KJV
Be joyful in this Holiday season. Christ is with us!
Ken
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If you are looking for a simple daily practice this season, you can download Kate Bowler's Bless This Advent devotional here.