Scripture: “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 2:10
Let me ask you something: when was the last time you felt real joy? Not just a quick smile for the ‘Gram or a polite chuckle at someone’s joke, but deep-down, heart-bursting, soul-refreshing joy? For many of us, it’s been a minute.
The weight of the world has been heavy lately—politics, personal struggles, grief, and everything in between. And it’s easy to feel like joy is a luxury we can’t afford right now. But can I remind you of something? Joy isn’t just for the good times. Joy is ours, even in the hard times.
This week of Advent calls us to lean into that joy, the kind that doesn’t make sense on paper but wells up anyway because of who Jesus is and what His birth means for us.
The Source of Our Joy
When the angel appeared to the shepherds, they were just going about their everyday business—working hard, probably tired, maybe even discouraged. And yet, in the middle of their ordinary night, heaven broke through with a message: “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy.”
That same good news—the birth of Christ—is still for us today. It’s the reminder that no matter how bleak things look, God has not forgotten us. The Savior has come, and His love changes everything.
This joy isn’t about pretending life isn’t hard. It’s about knowing that, in the midst of it all, we have a hope that can never be shaken.
Choosing Joy in Difficult Times
Let’s be real—sometimes joy feels like the last thing we want to choose. But here’s the beauty of joy: it’s not tied to our circumstances. It’s tied to our Savior.
When we look at the world through the lens of our faith, we can find reasons to rejoice, even in the small things. The sound of a child’s laughter, the comfort of a favorite hymn, the warmth of a meal shared with loved ones—all of these are glimpses of God’s goodness.
The Strength of a Joyful Spirit
The Bible says, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Joy isn’t just a feeling—it’s a source of power. It’s what keeps us going when the world tries to wear us down.
Think about our ancestors, who found joy even in the midst of unimaginable hardship. They sang, they prayed, they danced. Their joy was an act of resistance, a declaration that no amount of oppression could take away their dignity or their faith. That same joy runs in our blood, sis.
Celebrating the Gift of Christ
This Advent, let’s rediscover the joy of Christ’s birth. Light your Advent candle, play your favorite Christmas gospel songs, and let yourself celebrate. Jesus came for you. He came to bring you life, and life more abundantly.
Take time this week to laugh, to sing, to dance. Do something that makes your heart glad, and remember that this joy is a gift from God.
A Prayer for the Week
Lord, thank You for the gift of joy that sustains us even in the toughest times. Teach us to look to You as our source of strength and to find joy in Your presence. Help us to celebrate Your birth with gladness and to share that joy with others. Amen.
This week, let joy be your guide. Let it bubble up in your soul and spill over into your life. Because no matter what, Christ has come—and that is reason enough to rejoice. You are loved, you are seen, and you are held in His joy.