By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Galatians 5:22-23a
We think of this as a season of giving. We embrace the opportunity to give to others. We enjoy the gifts we receive. It is a time we are generous to the organizations and concerns that we feel are making a difference in the world. Giving gives us joy.
In the verse above, the writer of Galatians tells us that the fruit of the Spirit of God is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Fruit is that which is produced by the plant or tree. It is the produce of the plant. But fruit is intended to be eaten. To be enjoyed. To be consumed. Fruit left on the tree rots and fall to the ground becoming debris. It is wasted.
Joy, as a fruit, is to be enjoyed, shared, given away, relished, consumed. It is not just to be kept to oneself and hoarded. Joy is meant to be spread and savored.
In her poem, “Welcome Morning,” Ann Sexton reminds us,
The Joy that isn’t shared, I’ve heard,
dies young.
So tomorrow is Christmas Day. A day to experience joy. Are you waiting for someone to give joy to you? Are you waiting for joy to happen to you? Try giving some joy away, and then you will be assured of experiencing joy, savoring it, relishing it, taking delight in it. Don’t waste the fruit of your faith. Give some joy away and you will be giving God’s Joy to the World!
Prayer
There are times when we are waiting for joy to come to us from someone or somewhere else. Joy is a fruit of our faith; let us bear it and share it. Then we will be sure that the world knows the joy God intends for the world and for all people when we take responsibility for helping it happen. Whatever our circumstances this Christmas, may we find and share the joy! Amen.
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.
Lakewood United Church of Christ 