Last minute shopping has always brought with it the excitement of Christmas, shoppers going to and fro hustling and bustling from shop to shop. 2020 has been a different year and so has been the preparation for Christmas. Today in picking up some groceries in the midst of masked shoppers, social distancing, and waiting to be served my attention was drawn to the sign, “Find Joy”.
A visit to our favourite coffee shop brought with it festive lights, ugly sweaters, staff singing along with Christmas songs and just dancing behind the counters! And as I enjoyed my coffee Ken and I laughed together restoring a sense of festive spirit and yes a bit of joy.
Advent is about waiting and longing. It’s about lamenting the darkness that has marbled its way into our lives. Advent is about seeing the rays of light, first dawned on that first cold and dark night in Bethlehem. Advent is about a new way, a new kingdom, and the hope that one day all things will be made new.
It can seem far-fetched to those who, in this season, as joy has been overshadowed by COVID Fatigue, lockdown, that only compounds our pain as we stay home, stay alone and stay safe.
I was challenged by this tag line “Find Joy” , and celebrating the real story of this season. The story Christianity tells is that God has visited us in our pain and longing. There wasn’t a splashy launch in Herod’s palace. Instead, Jesus was born, both divine and human, in a rented cave in a forgotten town to an unmarried peasant couple. Christmas is as much about lament and longing as it is about joy.
It has nothing to do with our emotions or circumstances. It’s not a joy based on temporal things. It’s a joy based solely on the Lord—not touched by the world and revolving around who God is and what He has promised for His children. It’s a reality that surpasses our understanding. It’s a peace that abides in the heart that knows no matter what, all is well because Jesus is in the midst of its outcome. It’s not driven or tossed by worldly issues but remains a constant inside stabilizer above emotions or circumstances.
So here we are on Christmas Eve pondering choosing to find joy. The angels sang and declared that Jesus is born in Bethlehem and that gives me joy.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”(Romans 15:13 NIV)
