artwork by Ruth Chou Simons
May these amazingly appropriate four words from the well-known Christmas hymn, O Holy Night, be true of us as we celebrate Advent this year.
2020 has left us weary, but as children of God it cannot rob us of joy. My friend Ros said it this way …
Joy is an emotion of the Kingdom
As Kingdom citizens, joy is a gift to us.
- Joy is a fruit of the Spirit.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;
against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22, 23
Joy is not something we need to conjure up. Joy is a fruit of who we are. What are your keys to experiencing joy in the midst of the weary?
2. Joy is not based on our circumstances. Joy is a choice.
“Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail and the field yields no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls,
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.”
Habakkuk 3:17, 18
How do you keep your eyes on God in the midst of disappointing circumstances?
3. God’s always presence with us is a cause for joy.
“For you make him most blessed forever;
you make him glad with the joy of your presence.
For the king trusts in the Lord,
and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.”
Psalm 21:6, 7
Joy is based on trust. What does it look like for you to trust God’s steadfast love and experience joy?
4. Joy leads to hope.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
so that be the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”
Romans 15:13
Believe is the verb form of the noun trust. So joy and peace come because of our trust and leads to abounding hope! What would it look like to be filled with joy and peace that lead to hope?
Joy is a Christmas word.
Joy is the emotion of the kingdom.
May our emotions reflect the reality of joy this Advent.
Originally published December 6, 2018 as part of my series on Christmas Words.
Copyright, Sue Tell, December 2020