Finding Joy in the Season of Advent
John Osborne
As we celebrate Advent this season, we are invited to reflect on ways in which Christ’s arrival offers us love, JOY, peace and hope in a world often filled with challenges. For many, this time of year can be particularly difficult. The weight of personal struggles, global unrest, and the pressures of the season can overshadow what Advent brings. May I challenge you to prepare your hearts for the celebration of Christ's birth with anticipatory JOY?
Life is not without its burdens. You may find yourself struggling with personal loss, financial strain, fractured relationships, or just a general sense of weariness. You do not have to ignore these challenges but rather hold them in tension with the JOY of celebrating Christ. JOY is not the absence of sorrow but is rooted in the good news of the gospel - that Christ has come, that He is with us, and that He will come again. The promises of Christ’s first Advent were fulfilled and the promises of His Second Advent will be as well.
So how can we find, cultivate, and keep this JOY?
1. Embrace Being Still
Psalm 46:10 reminds us to “Be still, and know that I am God!” In the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it can be easy to forget to be still. Take time to sit quietly, reflect on the goodness and faithfulness of God. Reflect on His Kindness and His Mercy and that in spite of all that you may be going through, these “present troubles are small and won’t last very long” (2 Corinthians 4:17).
2. Keep an Attitude of Gratitude
While it’s easy to get caught up in what’s wrong in our own personal world or universe, take a step back and focus on being thankful. It is a lot easier to be joyful when we are thankful. Paul tells us in Philippians 4:8 to “Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” During some of the more challenging times in my life I have been encouraged to list ten things I am thankful for. I have found that life often looks better when I make this simple exercise a regular practice. Gratitude has a powerful way of cultivating joy, even in difficult times.
3. Remember Immanuel
Remember this prophecy from Isaiah 7:14 and that is fulfilled in Matthew 1:23: The prophet spoke and the angel confirmed, “Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel.” The meaning of this is incredible. Whatever you and I may be going through we can be assured that God is with us. We do not have to face life alone. That truth does not make everything perfect, but it can bring us a supernatural JOY.
4. Reflect on the Hope of Christ's Return
Advent is not just about looking back; it’s also about looking forward. The first Advent was Christ coming in a manger as a child. The second Advent will be Christ coming as a conquering King. Though “Joy to the World” has become a Christmas carol favorite, JOY to Heaven will be when Christ reveals Himself as the King of kings and Lord of Lords (Revelation 19:16). We can reflect back and celebrate the gift of the Christ child while also anticipating His soon return.
So my prayer for you this Advent season is threefold:
1 - May you take time to enjoy the true meaning of Christmas this season.
2 - May you find the JOY of the Lord to be your strength in the midst of all that you are trudging through or celebrating this season.
3 - May you draw closer to God this Advent season.