During the Christmas – Advent season, we light the candles of the Advent wreath. The Advent Joy candle signifies the growing sense of joy and anticipation as the Advent season progresses and Christmas draws nearer. It reflects the joy that Christians feel in anticipation of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and the joy that Christ’s coming brings to the world, as described in His Word and experienced by His people.
Joy can often be confused with happiness. Joy and happiness are related emotions but not quite the same. Happiness is often described as a more intense and fleeting emotion. It’s a sudden, intense feeling of delight or pleasure that can be triggered by specific events, experiences, or circumstances. Joy, on the other hand, is a more enduring and stable emotional state. It refers to an overall sense of contentment, well-being, and satisfaction with one’s life. Joy is not as dependent on specific events and can persist even in the absence of momentary happiness.
In Christian theology, joy is often considered a deep and abiding sense of gladness and contentment that arises from a close relationship with God. It’s distinct from mere happiness, which is often associated with external circumstances. Christian joy is often seen as a spiritual fruit, a gift from God, rooted in faith, hope, and love. It can be experienced even in the midst of suffering or challenging circumstances, as it comes from a profound sense of God’s presence and grace.
Imagine two people facing adversity. One is a person of deep faith, and the other is not. They both lose their jobs and face financial uncertainty. The non-believer becomes despondent and overwhelmed with worry, leading to a sense of hopelessness and despair. Their happiness is shattered because it is largely dependent on external circumstances.
On the other hand, the Christian, also affected by the job loss, experiences moments of sadness and concern, but their faith anchors them. They turn to prayer, seeking guidance and comfort from God. They find support within their church community, and their trust in God’s plan brings them a sense of peace and contentment even in the face of adversity. The Christian’s joy is evident not because they are immune to life’s challenges but because their joy is rooted in a relationship with God.
Joy is a theme found throughout the Bible. Here is a profound verse from Psalm 30:5, “For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” God’s anger is paralleled with our weeping, and both are momentary. God’s favor is paralleled with the joy we receive from Him, and it’s for a lifetime, which for us believers is eternal. Genuine joy is found in the Lord.
As I have already said, joy is a theme found throughout the Bible. For instance, in the New Testament, we discover this verse in the Christmas account, “And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord’” (Luke 2:10-11). The context of these verses is that an angel is announcing the birth of Jesus to shepherds in the fields. I have been to those exact fields after dusk, and even with modern lights from Bethlehem and far off Jerusalem, it was dark. An angel appears along with an angelic choir, and the message is given that Jesus is born, who is Savior, the Messiah. This is a moment of great significance, symbolizing hope and joy brought to the world and received by those who believe. Consider that the good news is that the Lord has come, bringing greater joy to the world than any other news. Why? Because the genuine joy found in the Lord was made available to all who receive Christ.
Even during Advent, Christian joy can be affected by various factors. We face distractions, stress, loss, and grief. There are unrealistic expectations about how the season should be celebrated, which can lead to disappointment. Worries about the state of the world or personal challenges may dampen joy. Lastly, a lack of spiritual connection can exist where neglecting spiritual practices and not fully engaging with the Advent story can diminish joy. To maintain joy this Advent season, we must focus on our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and engage in acts of kindness, connect with our church family, and practice gratitude. We need to make time for reflection, hope, and anticipation of the celebration of Jesus’ birth.
The joy of the Lord is not just for a season but is everlasting. One Bible verse that speaks to the eternal nature of joy is found in Psalm 16:11, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” We have much to be thankful for since the genuine joy found in the Lord was made available to all who receive Christ and is not temporary but eternal.
Let’s try to wrap our minds around the expectant joy eternally found in Christ. Imagine us gathering on Christmas Eve. We participate in candle lighting during the service. The ringings with the sound of “Silent Night” and filled with a sense of expectancy. The story of Christ’s birth will be shared. Our Lord’s coming marks the expectant joy we find in Christ. Just as Mary and Joseph eagerly awaited the birth of Jesus, we, too, can discover eternal joy in Christ’s presence in our lives and anticipation of His return.
Here’s the good news, the expectant joy we find in Christ, like a candle’s flame, can burn brightly and eternally if we keep our faith alive and our hearts open to the gift of salvation that Christmas represents. Let’s celebrate and respond to the truth that the genuine expectant joy found in the Lord was made available to all who receive Christ and is not temporary but eternal. In celebrating the Christmas – Advent season, let’s be reminded that the genuine expectant joy in the Lord is a gift available to all who receive Christ. It’s not a fleeting emotion but an eternal flame that can light our lives with hope, love, and salvation, offering us a profound and everlasting source of joy. How we respond to this truth makes all the difference. Receive Christ and choose to experience His joy. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!