Third Week of Advent: Joy
Today is the third week of Advent and each week we will focus on one of the candles on an Advent wreath. This week we focus on joy.
Each Advent candle symbolizes something. One is for hope, one is for love, one is for joy and one is for peace. There is a fifth candle that is lit on Christmas to remind Christians of the light Jesus brings to the world.
The first week in Advent we lit a candle to remind us of God’s forgiveness which Jesus brought Last week we lit our second candle to remind us of the peace of God.
With all that is going on, this week’s word can help jumpstart our life.
This week we think of JOY– the joy that Jesus’ birth brought. His coming was a most joyous occasion for Mary and Joseph. The Gospel of Luke tells us how happy Mary was when she learned of His coming birth:
Luke 1:46-49 “And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for He haas looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant (meaning her). Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me and holy is His name.” (She was praising God because she felt lucky that he picked a poor girl like her to be the mother of Jesus.)
This child not only brought joy to Mary and Joseph, but to the world. Everything involving the birth of Jesus was joyful way back then. Mary was filled with great joy that she was chosen. Joseph was joyful. The wise men came with gifts. Angels came down with songs.
Singing Christmas carols or listening to them can bring joy to us. You don’t realize how embedded in your heart Christmas carols are. Often when people lose their memory they remember Christmas songs. I’ve seen it first-hand where someone may not even know a loved-one any more due to memory loss, but once they hear a Christmas song it triggers something in their brain and they can actually recall the words and sing the song. So don’t ever gloss over the importance of spreading Christmas cheer through music.
Today we sometimes tend to forget the true meaning of Christmas and get overcome with the buying of gifts and getting ready for Christmas. Often we feel sad or angry during what should be a joyous season.
This week, let’s take the time out of our day and thank God for all He has given us. Let’s take time out for joy.
If there is something that brings you joy, do it today.
Bible Verse
Luke 1:46-49– “And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for He haas looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant (meaning her). Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me and holy is His name.”
