16th - 22nd December 2024
What comes to your mind when you reflect on the word, ‘Joy’? As we enter the 3rd week of Advent our focus is on this small yet profound word. Our dictionaries tend to refer to it as ‘a feeling of great pleasure or happiness’.
I know in recent weeks, when our grandchildren have been with us, I tend to get a great sense of joy as I watch them interacting, laughing, smiling, playing together, having little conversations, seeing their developing personalities and mannerisms. It’s a real privilege and joy to watch. Even this afternoon, as two of them walked home from school with me, they took each other’s hand and just walked together, laughing, chatting … my heart was full of joy.
Can you remember the last time you felt joyful?
Recently, at our baptismal service, I had a similar feeling of joy listening to the testimonies and confessions of faith of the 19 individuals that were baptised … the sense of joy in the Warehouse was tangible.
In Luke 2:10 the angel proclaimed to the shepherds, ‘Do not be afraid, I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people.’ This joy is not rooted in circumstances or feelings but rather in the arrival of Jesus, bringing hope to a weary world that rejoices, as we sing in the carol, ‘O Holy Night’.
There is something about singing that really moves us emotionally. We connect to the music and the lyrics in ways that are hard to describe but that move us, literally at times with foot tapping, swaying and even into full on dancing! And then there’s the emotion of it when we feel our eyes starting to tear up, our heart race, the hairs on the back of our neck stand up. Sometimes I just love it when the music fades and all is stripped away and all we can hear is voices … there is something joyous in those moments.
There are so many great carols that help us express our joy as we think about Christmas and its true meaning … the arrival of Jesus, Immanuel, God with us. If we do not feel an overwhelming sense of joy when we think about God’s demonstration of love towards us, then I’m not sure what will impact us, because all we are and have is because of him!
So let’s consider a few of these classics carols … Isaac Watts’ famous carol written in 1719 proclaims, ‘Joy to the world! The Lord has come. Let earth receive her King’. Chris Tomlin updated this great carol in 2017 by adding a chorus, ‘Joy, unspeakable joy, an overflowing well, no tongue can tell, joy unspeakable joy, rises in my soul, never lets me go’.
Then we have Charles Wesley’s classic from 1739, ‘Hark the herald angels sing, Glory to the new-born King. Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled: Joyful all ye nations rise, Join the triumph of the skies, With the angelic host proclaim, Christ is born in Bethlehem!’.
Or how about Henry Van Dyke’s 1907 carol, ‘Joyful, joyful we adore thee, God of glory, Lord of love.’?
If you are anything like me, even reading these lyrics lifts your soul, draws out a smile and changes your perspective. What a great way to prepare our hearts for prayer this week by singing one of these classic carols (although other carols are allowed too!).
May this week be one that is full of the reminders of the joy that we have, not just in this season but always, because of Jesus.
Written by David Mairs
MONDAY
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” [Luke 2:9-10]
Heavenly Father, thank you for the good news that is for all mankind, that Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, came into this world to save sinners just like me. Thank you that he is Immanuel, God with us, and your promise is to be with us in every season of life and circumstance we find ourselves in. (Take time to speak to your Father in heaven about the things that concern you, then pause and give thanks for the things you are grateful for.) Amen.
TUESDAY
... fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. [Hebrews 12:2]
Heavenly Father, I find it hard to equate joy with suffering and in the midst of pain it is so hard to have a perspective that helps to overcome the struggles we face. Thank you for the reminder that we are to ‘fix our eyes on Jesus’, thank you that he sets the example and shows us how to live in the midst of our difficulties. Thank you, Jesus, for going to prepare a place for me, thank you that I have an inheritance that is secure and guaranteed. Thank you that heaven is my destination and home. Thank you for the glory that awaits which will outweigh the troubles that are part of this life. Help me to keep looking to you, Jesus, and to hold on to your promises, such as, ‘I will never leave you or forsake you’, ‘Fear not, for I am with you’. I love you, Jesus, for all you have done for me. Amen.
WEDNESDAY
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. [James 1:2-3]
Heavenly Father, thank you for this constant reminder that I am being changed each day as you work out your purposes in my life. Help me to depend more and more on you and to be strong in my faith, standing firm in the challenges of this life and the constant battle that is raging for my time, affections and talents. Help me to recognise the need to guard my heart and to stay close to you so that I can grow in my faith. Help me to be rooted in you. Help me to recognise the battle is real and consider it pure joy because I am being reminded daily that I am one of your children and you are working in my life. Thank you for loving me and being with me always. Amen.
THURSDAY
Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. [1 Peter 1:8-9]
Heavenly Father, I love you and, although I cannot see you physically, I can see you in everything around me. As I look at creation and all the beauty around me, I realise that there is a designer, a creator God, your handiwork reveals the truth of your word. As I look at the complexity of my own body, I am reminded that I was knit together in my mother’s womb, intricately made in that hidden place, a place where you were with me. It’s incredible and so my only response is one of inexpressible joy to recognise you know me, love me, forgive me, save me, change me and are preparing a place for me. Thank you, Father. Amen.
FRIDAY
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him. [Psalm 28:7]
Heavenly Father, help me today and every day to trust you with all my heart. Thank you for the promise to help me, to be my strength and shield. I am grateful that you protect and defend me because I am your child. Help me to praise you today and may my heart explode with joy as I consider how much you love me and how much you help me. Amen.
SATURDAY
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn shout for joy before the Lord, the King. [Psalm 98:4-6]
Heavenly Father, help me to express my love for you without reservation and to sing praise to you. (Take time to worship the Lord in song. Think of a favourite hymn, carol, worship song. Look it up online and praise the Lord as part of your time with God this morning.) Thank you, Father, for songwriters and musicians who are able to write lyrics and music that lift up your name, express the truths of your word and draw me closer to you. Amen.
SUNDAY
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him. [Romans 15:13]
Heavenly Father, thank you for the living hope that I have because Jesus is alive. Thank you for the resurrection of Jesus and his victory over sin and death. Thank you for the assurance of salvation and your unconditional love for me. Thank you for saving me. Help me to know your peace and to continue to trust in you. May those I love who are still far from you come to know the truth of your love for them and enjoy this hope, assurance and peace by trusting in you. Thank you for the joy I have in knowing you. Amen.