The theme for this Advent season at Lakewood United Church of Christ is JOY to the World. Each day during the Advent season, a reflection on a scripture passage related to JOY will be posted. We hope these daily reflections help you to have a joy-filled Advent.
Rejoice in the Savior always! I say it again: Rejoice! Let everyone see your forbearing spirit. Our Savior is near. Dismiss all anxiety from your minds; instead, present your needs to God through prayer and petition, giving thanks for all circumstances. Then God’s own peace, which is beyond all understanding, will stand guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7
Yesterday, we mentioned joy being taken away, or ceasing. There was reference to God’s joy ending, and to God’s people experiencing the cessation of joy. There was the opportunity to consider what can end or stop joy.
In the scripture passage above, the writer, Paul, talks about joy. Paul has seen many hardships including poverty and imprisonment. He has a sketchy past to look back on. He has had his share of successes and failures in his mission to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We might say that Paul has seen it all, good and bad. And in this letter to the Christian community at Philippi, a letter written from prison, Paul mentions joy and rejoicing 16 times!
The implication here is that joy is possible in all circumstances. Paul implies that joy can be constant regardless of outward happenings. It is possible to rejoice always. When we think about joy and nature, we see that this is the case. Mountains, rivers, plants, animals, and all of nature convey joy by being what they are meant to be. Simply by existing and fulfilling their part in the grand design of the universe, they rejoice. With people, joy can get more complex. It is not quite as easy for us to simply fulfill our intended purpose in the vast scheme of the cosmos. And yet, Paul implies, that we, too, can still have/be/do joy always.
Can you think about a time when you were going through a rough patch in your life and yet still felt joy? Have you seen joy in someone else at an unexpected moment? Do you think that joy is possible in any and all circumstances? Think about Jesus. Do you think that he always felt joy? Even at the crucifixion? Is the potential for joy always present? Are there ways we can tap into that joy? Is joy a necessary component of faith and God? Do you lean toward the view that joy is always possible, or does the idea that joy can stop or be absent fit your beliefs better?
Prayer
This Advent season amidst much busyness and bustle, may we dismiss all anxiety and trust God giving thanks in all circumstances. As our trust and devotion to God increase, so may our receptivity to joy. This holy season, may we contribute JOY to the world! Amen.
Lakewood United Church of Christ 