Finding Joy

There is much in the news that could very easily steal our joy. From looming Covid restrictions which will limit travel and gatherings over Christmas to multiple natural disasters that have left a path of destruction to panic about shortages of holiday gifts because of supply chain issues, it may not seem like there is much to be joyful about.

In worship Sunday our minister spoke about the difference between happiness and joy and how happiness is a fleeting feeling and dependent on our circumstances. Joy is a depth of gratitude and well-being that is with us no matter what storms we are facing and how little we have. It is a fruit of the Spirit and evidence of our hope in God.

I can’t ever think about the third week of Advent without thinking of Mary visiting her cousin Elizabeth. We read in Luke 1:39-45 that she has left home to travel to see her. No doubt this was at least partially to get away from the stress of having to address her pregnancy and perceived unfaithfulness to Joseph. Gabriel had let her know that Elizabeth was pregnant as well when he told her that she had been chosen to birth the Messiah. He had offered her a lifeline in a person who would understand what she was going through.

We read that the baby jumps inside Elizabeth’s womb at the sound of Mary’s voice as she comes into their home. John, a few months from being born, knows that Mary carries his cousin who will save the world. He jumps for joy and Elizabeth understands this somehow and knows Mary’s truth even before she says a word. Wow.

I wonder what it would be like in these grey days of uncertainty and exhaustion, with the pandemic and frustration with people not following protocols added on to the already crazy holiday shopping, if we were as perceptive as John was in utero. I wonder if we can take the filters off and see the promise of Christ coming among us despite our impatience and overwhelm. I wonder if we are able to see the Spirit in our midst, pregnant with promise and possibility. And I wonder if we can allow ourselves to feel joy even in sorrow and trying situations around us.

When I think of joy I think of the African Children’s Choir in their brightly matching clothes and their animated faces and broad movement as they sing. They jump and shine and have infectious enthusiasm. These are kids we wouldn’t think of as having much to be joyful about, but they trust and believe in their God’s goodness and love and they share it freely with strangers. They don’t have a lot of fluff to clear away to get to what really matters in this world and the next.

I have to admit that I felt some joy this past week - when a box of wonderful ministry books arrived, when I watched our Santa Claus parade and saw our community come together again on short notice, when I talked to a newborn after worship Sunday whose eyes sparkled. These moments filled me and reminded me of the goodness and provision of God. These moments point me towards what is to come.

I wish you joy in the coming week, even as we wait to see if holiday plans have to be dropped or changed from what we had hoped, even as prices go up and challenges seem to abound. I wish you joy and the ability to perceive it, as it points to the infancy of the much greater joy to come. May we all have the wisdom and enthusiasm of that baby safe in the womb of Elizabeth and be able to see the blessings of God all around us. May we be pregnant with God’s Spirit and ready to share it.

Joy to the world!