Welcome to the third week of Advent! This week we explore the theme of joy.
Day 1: Interrupted by Joy
Have you ever been interrupted by joy? As I sit here contemplating joy and what God has for me to write about it, I am interrupted once again by my seven month old beagle puppy, Dahlia. She has spotted a squirrel in the tree for what seems the millionth time. She squeezes herself onto the window sill behind my desk crying in excitement, her wagging tail alternately striking the window with a gong-like echo and my pencil bag on top of my desk. Gong, splat, gong, splat. This continues with increasing tempo until, sighing, I stand up and let her outside. Watching her frolic, nose to the ground following the squirrel’s path around the yard, I can’t help but smile. There is just something innately joyful about a beagle on a hunt, and Dahlia’s joy is contagious. They are called merry little hounds for a reason. This interruption of joy reminds me to slow down and fully enjoy and celebrate the gifts God gives me. I return to my writing lighter with, a renewed sense of delight.
The coming of Jesus, the long awaited Messiah was an interruption. Mary was going about a normal day when suddenly she is interrupted by an angel telling her she is the one chosen to bear the Messiah. She responds to this interruption with faithful obedience, and heads off to visit her relative Elizabeth who is pregnant with John the Baptist. At Mary’s greeting Elizabeth’s baby leaps for joy in her womb, another interruption of joy, prompting Elizabeth to exclaim “Blessed are you among women…” (Luke 1:39-45). In response, Mary bursts into joyful song, celebrating what God is doing in her midst.
Take a moment and read her joyful song in Luke 1:46-55.
How does Mary’s song of celebration move you?
Most likely you will not encounter an angel bringing tidings of a new baby this week, but God interrupts us with his joy in countless ways. This week look for little reminders of God’s joy and delight. Ask God for the eyes to see these interruptions of joy as you journey through this week.
Day 2: Celebrate! Joy
Music and Christmas are inextricably linked in my mind. I usually begin listening to Christmas music daily the week or two before Thanksgiving, and I continue until sometime in the first week of January. The music of The Nutcracker, Andrew Peterson’s Behold the Lamb of God, and so many other favorites play on repeat in our house for the entire season. My theory? I have so many favorite albums and songs that I listen to only at this time of year so I play them as much as possible. What is your favorite Christmas carol or Christmas album?
The hymn “Joy to the World” was written by Isaac Watts, an English pastor in 1719. And while Isaac Watts wrote literally hundreds of hymns in his lifetime, this one is perhaps his most well known. “Joy to the World” is inspired by Psalm 98, a psalm of praise; we find the fingerprints of this psalm all throughout it.
Take a few moments and read Psalm 98.
This psalm begins with the command to “Sing to the Lord a new song” followed by the reasons why in verses 1-3. For the psalmist, God’s marvelous works are cause for great celebration, and he calls on the whole earth to burst forth in joyful song in response.
God’s marvelous works are on display everywhere we look- from the majesty and beauty of creation to the intricacy and uniqueness of humanity. What marvelous works does the psalmist mention in Psalm 98? What marvelous works of God do you notice in the world around you? What marvelous works has God done for you? Take a few moments to list them out.
How is God calling you to celebrate his marvelous works today?
Close your time today by listening to and singing “Joy to the World.”
Day 3: Abundant Joy
Abundance. What comes to mind when you hear that word? For me, images of a grand banquet table laden with a holiday spread roll through my mind- honey baked ham, baked corn, green beans, macaroni and cheese, turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, piping hot homemade rolls, a grand assortment of cookies, pies, and other sweet treats. Abundance is having more than enough for everyone with baskets full of leftovers like we see when Jesus feeds the 5,000. What is something you have in abundance?
Turn again to Philippians 4:4-7, and read these familiar words yet again. For a fresh perspective consider reading from a different translation of the Bible today.
Another way we can phrase Philippians 4:4 is “Always be full of joy in the Lord!” (NLT). If we are always full of joy, that means we have joy in abundance; we have more than enough with extra to go around. Abundant joy means joy will fill us and then spill over the edges of our lives into the lives of others. But how do we become a people who are filled with joy like this, especially when we find ourselves in a season of suffering?
Abundant joy is rooted firmly in God and not in our circumstances. Look back at Philippians 4:4-7 and take note of all the places where Paul mentions the Lord or God. God is present with us and active in our suffering as well as in our happiness, and he wants us to come to him with our concerns, our joys, our frustrations, our confusion- everything. Abundant joy grows out of this kind of vibrant, active relationship with God. And as we pursue God in this way, we become increasingly aware of his presence with us and work in our midst filling us with abundant joy that overflows into the lives of others.
This week as we continue to explore celebration, let us open our eyes to how God’s abundant joy overflows into our other relationships. Set aside time to share a special meal with friends or family. Let this be a celebratory meal to celebrate the joy of your relationship, your friendship.
Day 4: O Come O Come Immanuel
The hymn “O Come O Come Immanuel” originated as a call and response chant called the “O Antiphons” which dates to the 7th century. Each stanza emphasizes one of the names given in the Old Testament for Jesus. Read the words of this ancient hymn.
O come, O come, Immanuel
and ransom captive Israel
that mourns in lonely exile here
until the Son of God appear.
O come, O Wisdom from on high,
who ordered all things mightily;
to us the path of knowledge show
and teach us in its ways to go.
O come, O come, great Lord of might
who to your tribes on Sinai’s height
in ancient times did give the law
in cloud and majesty and awe.
O come, O Branch of Jesse’s stem
unto your own and rescue them!
From depths of hell your people save,
and give them victory o’er the grave.
O come, O Key of David come
and open wide our heavenly home.
Make safe for us the heavenward road
and bar the way to death’s abode.
O come, O Bright and Morning Star,
and bring us comfort from afar!
Dispel the shadows of the night
and turn our darkness into light.
O come, O King of nations, bind
in one the hearts of all mankind.
Bid all our sad divisions cease
and be yourself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel
shall come to you, O Israel.
Contemplate these names and descriptions of the Messiah. Which ones resonate with you today?
The refrain for this hymn is printed at the end, and it reminds us to rejoice in the midst of waiting for Jesus. How might recalling God’s work in the past spur us to celebration even if our present circumstance is bleak or God seems to tarry? How might God be calling you to rejoice, to praise him in the midst?
Day 5: Immanuel
As we continue our Advent journey together, let us turn our attention to Sunday and our theme for the final week of Advent- love. Today we are going to meditate on one of the names given to Jesus, Immanuel. A journal and pen will be useful for this practice.
As we begin today, find a comfortable place to sit, and prepare your heart to connect with God. Breathe deeply releasing your stress and worry with each exhale, and imagine God’s love filling you with each inhale. Pray something like, “God I am here. Open my heart to your presence.”
Take a moment and read Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:22-23. Read each verse aloud, slowly and intentionally. Both of these verses highlight the name Immanuel which means God with us. Focus your attention on this name. Repeat this name several times breathing deeply. Record any thoughts in your journal.
Now pray something like, “Jesus, Immanuel, help me to know you as God with us.” As you pray this prayer, breathe deeply and settle deeper into God’s presence. Repeat this prayer several times. Tarry there in God’s presence for a bit. What comes to mind? Respond, pray, write, and contemplate as you feel led.
Read Matthew 1:23 again. How have you experienced Jesus as “God with us” in your life? Why is it significant to you that Jesus is named Immanuel?
Pray. Respond to God authentically and truthfully, praising him for his presence with you.
Art Attribution: Mike Moyers, “Hallelujah” www.mikemoyersfineart.com
