Joyful Joyful?

One of the possible lectionary readings for this coming Sunday, Advent III – Joy, is Luke 1:46b-55, or what is better known as The Magnificat. These are Mary’s words on arriving at her relative Elizabeth’s, whose own baby leaps in her womb, offering a confirmation of the identity of the miraculous baby that Mary is carrying.

Mary’s words are amazing, given the shunning and family conflict she no doubt was fleeing from after it was found out that she was pregnant, and not by her fiancé. Yet she still was accepting of her fate, of the role given to her by God through the angel Gabriel, and she thanks God, even in the midst of uncertainty, remembering God’s faithfulness to generations upon generations of her Jewish family. 

Sometimes I marvel at her words here. Sometimes I roll my eyes – I mean, really, a teen of about fourteen spouting this off as she faces such a difficult present and unknown future? Surely there was at least some poetic license taken here. And yet, as I reflect on those times when my own faith and sense of God’s direction for me has been confirmed in startling and concrete ways and the joy of those moments, I am moved.

We have the opportunity to share with our learners about how we need to reflect on what God has done for us, to recognize what good things we are entrusted with bringing into the world, our communities, and our relationships, and to watch for those moments confirming our hope and our joy. Consider some of the following ideas to celebrate joy:

1. If you haven’t already, share Luke 1 with your learners – either reading from the Bible or a storybook depending on the age level. Talk about God entrusting Mary, a young teenager, with bringing Jesus safely into the world. How would they feel if God asked them to do something really big? Has God already asked things of them? Talk about Elizabeth, and how God planned for her to have a baby late in life. How would the story be different if Mary didn’t have Elizabeth to visit who understood what she was facing?

2. Draw pictures or make lists of people who your learners have experienced as angels or witnesses bringing God’s message or direction or comfort. Who has helped them to understand God? Who has listened and answered their questions? Who has celebrated their journey of faith? Who has recognized their gifts that came from God?

3. Put out a large bowl or put a piece of chart paper on the wall. Talk about what joy is – not just happiness, but an overwhelming feeling of gratitude or connection to God (they may also define it differently – let them explore this together). Invite your learners to share about when they have felt joyful this year. How has God been present and blessed them? Have them write down or draw pictures to put in the bowl or on the wall.

4. Pray together for all those who do not feel joy. Talk about why this might be. How might God be calling us to share our joy with others? Pray a prayer of thanks for all the God moments they have experienced this year. Pray that they will be able to notice God’s blessings and presence around them, in this holy season and year round. Pray that those who are leaders in the church will have an infusion of joy in this busy time.

5. Sing together some songs about joy known to the group, or teach some new ones (Joy to the World, I’ve got joy, I’ve the joy, joy, joy, joy, O be joyful, I’ve got peace like a river, etc.). Come up with some simple choreography or joyful movement to go along with the music. Find an opportunity to share your joy with the congregation, perhaps at children’s time or coffee hour. Joy is not something we should keep to ourselves!

Despite many dark situations around us, and a difficult end to the year for many, God’s joy is still around us and can sustain us, pulling us from darkness. Take stock of how open you are to experiencing joy right now and why that might be. Be gentle with yourself and honest with God about how you are coping with Advent. Pray for guidance and wisdom and that your celebration of the season may have its focus where it needs to be.