Let Advent Begin: Joy to the World Isn't Only For a Season
Before Halloween, Christmas decorations began appearing on the store shelves and the Hallmark Channel began the flow of Christmas movies.
Some sigh with frustration when they see a Christmas ornament before Thanksgiving, while others are ecstatic in anticipation of the long awaited holiday season.
Which person are you?
I'm of the latter persuasion and struggle with how anyone cannot be excited about celebrating the birthday of the King.
The Advent Season has begun. It means waiting in anticipation, hoping for something wonderful to come.
The words of Advent are Hope, Love, Peace and Joy. Each week during Advent one word is reflected on in many denominations leading up to Christmas, reminding us of what God's people were watching and waiting for - The Messiah.
But, for the purpose of this blog, I'm jumping right into JOY.
I absolutely love Christmas and all that comes with it: the brightness in a child's eyes full of imagination and anticipation, trimmed trees, glowing lights, decorations, family time, making memories, shopping, wrapping gifts, movies, nativity scenes, Christmas music, baking and the absolute JOY the season brings.
On that glorious night, some shepherds were watching their flocks in a field when suddenly...
And an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;
(Luke 2:9-19 NASB, emphasis mine).
(Luke 2:9-19 NASB, emphasis mine).
JOY overcomes fear and anxiety.
How do we define this exhilarating thread woven into the fabric of a Christian's life?
1. Is JOY an emotion?
When the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds began saying to one another, “Let us go straight to Bethlehem then, and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us.” So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph, and the baby as He lay in the manger (Luke 2:15-16 NASB).
2. Can JOY and sorrow be present at the same time?
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2 NASB).
3. Is JOY a state of mind?
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth
(Colossians 3:2 NASB).
David seemed to. With a repentant heart he cries out to God in Psalm 51...
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation And sustain me with a willing spirit (verse 12 NASB).
So I believe the answer to all of the above is "yes" and JOY can be defined as follows:
JOY is a mindset. A mind set on the glorious outcome of an eternal story.
JOY is an ingredient which unleashes the soul to rise up and worship.
JOY takes our breath away while simultaneously filling us the Breath of Life.
JOY keeps the Hope, Love, and Peace alive 365 days a year as we anticipate His coming again.
Pure, undeniable, incomprehensible, life-giving JOY!
My Pleasure and Merry Christmas,
Melanie
(All Scriptures used from Bibleway.com)