This coming Sunday will be the third Sunday of Advent, with the theme of Joy.
But how do we find joy in a world that seems to have a lot of chaos and sadness? We know the price of everything is up, while wages are stagnant. We know there is a great deal of vitriol among our politicians, each trying to out do the other with snipes and mean spiritedness. We see those who are being treated less than, and being ground up in a performative spectacle. We see those who are arrested, detained, deported, and even killed without the protection of due process. There just doesn’t seem to be a lot to find joy in today.
I think sometimes we confuse happiness for joy, and when what we see and experience brings us sadness or anger, we want to find some way to be happy. Happiness is a momentary feeling elicited by something temporary, say a gift or event. We find happiness in a moment of time, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But joy, on the other hand, is something different. Joy is a lasting internal value which exists within us at a deep level.
When I woke up yesterday, I knew I needed to get ready for my morning walk. I was dragging, the bed was warm, and it was so cold early in the morning. I just wanted to roll over and enjoy the moment of happiness the warmth of my bed was bringing me. Instead, I got up and made ready for my walk. As I got out on the trail, it was cold, and I mean frigid. But the sun was shining, the sky was clear and off I went. You know its Texas, so seasons come late. It was like a picture perfect Autumn morning. The creek was splashing over the rocks. The trees were majestic in their riot of color. There was a very cold breeze blowing, but it had the fallen leaves in its grasp and they were dancing at my feet. All in all, it was a perfect morning.
I’m really happy for that moment in time. But moments don’t last, and the rigors of the day soon caught up with me. Even though the happy moment didn’t last, the deep joy I experienced has stayed with me ever since.
In the Gospel according to Luke 2:10-11, we read…”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,[a] the Lord.” This was a moment in time, but it would be an everlasting moment that should settle in our souls. God could have made the people happy with a gift of 2000 denarii, but that would be gone soon enough and what truly weighed the people down would still be present. Instead, God gave the world something that was lasting. God gave the world Jesus who is still able to bring us joy. We can get caught up in all the negativity we encounter, or we can turn to the joy God has sent us. I choose to turn to Jesus. Even when the worst of things seems to be crashing into my world, I know with Jesus I can handle what comes my way. When I see the worst, I can still turn to the joy that is within me, and I know God has me in the palm of God’s hand. That’s a joy that cannot compare to any temporary moment of happiness.
I know there’s a lot for us to deal with in this moment in time. I know the struggles many have with finances, with relationships, with health in general, and even with mental health. These struggles are real, and there are no easy answers. But in the midst of all we struggle with, we still have an unspeakable joy in Jesus. Jesus shows us a way to live, not for self, but for others. Jesus encourages us by relating how much God cares and is concerned for us. To me, the joy I have inside cannot be diminished or subjugated by what’s happening outside. For me, I draw on that well of joy, over and over again. That joy is one of the reasons for the season.
Your companion on the Way,
Pastor Tom