"An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 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 2:9-10
“So, you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him Abba Father. For his spirit joins our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.” Romans 8:15-16
This first week of Advent, we reflect on joy. Joy is the fruit of an intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father; a closeness that knows our faults, doubts, and insecurities, and still invites us to know Him as Abba Father, our Daddy God. What in this world could compare with being fully known and fully loved by the Maker of heaven and earth? To be secure in the warmth of our Father’s embrace, having the confidence of His peace, and knowing that He is always with us in any and every situation, our Emmanuel. Instead, we often look for our validity and meaning in the empty and temporary things of this world, hoping that this time will somehow be different. Again and again, we turn our backs on our Father who gave everything to bring us joy.
This Advent season, we recognize that God gave us that everything in the form of His one and only perfect son. Jesus desperately wants us to find joy in Him. So much so that He pursued us, entering this world as an infant, and later enduring the cross it took to provide it. If we recognize this gift of a Savior, God welcomes us with open arms, wanting to be our source of joy.
Joy to the world. The Lord has come.
Let earth receive her king
Let every heart prepare him room
And heaven and nature sing.
1. Do you feel joy as you enter the Advent season this year?
2. How does knowing God as Father bring us lasting joy?
3. What will you do to know Him more?
Jesus, we praise You that You came specifically to bring us joy. A joy that we will never find in anything in this world. As an uncertain year comes to a close, we know with certainty we can find joy in You apart from our circumstances. Each day be our source of joy, help us to turn away from the comforts of this world, and run to You for identity, hope, and peace that only You can bring. Amen.