Joy is more than just a happy moment
JOY! Three little letters and this short, small word, J O Y, is packed with powerful emotion! It is impossible to say JOY without a smile beginning to form at the corner of your lips. It spreads across your face, and it is a gift of grace to experience this. Light spreading on a face filled with joy is beautiful to behold. It transforms those nearby!
In this Season of Advent as we anticipate the coming of the Christ Child, we are filled with anticipation for One is coming who will fill our hearts with hope, peace JOY and love. JOY is our focus for this third Sunday of Advent. As we behold a newborn baby all are overcome with incredible love and JOY. All other emotions take a back seat!
I have been blessed with the birth of a great niece November 18, 2021! Such promise and potential in her sweet life and I am filled with an everlasting JOY as I cradle her in my arms and look upon her basking in the love of her family. New life is a gift from God and a smile of pure joy fills each face looking at this precious newborn! Such a JOY to be in her tiny presence!
Hear these words from the hymn “When God is a Child.” Imagine beautiful wind chimes ringing as you ponder these words:
“Joy is a song that welcomes the dawn,
telling the world that a Savior is born.
When God is a child there’s joy in our song.
The last shall be first and the weak shall be strong,
and none shall be afraid.” ”
JOY is more than just a happy moment. Happiness comes and goes depending upon the circumstance. Not so with JOY! Our JOY is in the Lord! “Joy to the World, the Lord is come” says the first phrase of the beloved hymn Joy to The World. ** These timeless words were penned by Isaac Watts in 1719, and the gift of JOY from past centuries continues to bring JOY to us in the present day. The fruitfulness of those who have gone before now bless each of us in a special way this Advent Season. I give God thanks for the never-ending cycle of life and for God’s Presence with us in every moment of our life journey.
You shall go out in Joy and be led forth in Peace. May the light that began as a tentative flicker blaze into a pure light that surrounds you this day and always. May you have a Blessed Advent and Christmas. May JOY fill your hearts to overflowing this day and all the days to come. Amen.
This reflection on preparation and Advent was written by Trained Spiritual Director Rev. Sherry Ward.. This is part Retreat House’s Spreading the Light series. As an interfaith community, Retreat House Spirituality Center will hold space this holiday season to "Spread the Light" as, together, we honor the faith traditions of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Each week, we'll explore the sacred stories of these traditions through reflections, meditations and prayers. If you're new here, sign up to receive these weekly offerings!
In December, we will host several events at Retreat House to explore the HOPE, JOY, PREPARATION and LOVE of the season. View a full listing of those events.
References from:
* Chalice Hymnal p. 132
**Chalice Hymnal p. 143