Advent in Joy

The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.

Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.

-Isaiah 35:1-2

The prophet Isaiah was called by God to bring difficult messages of punishment and a call to repentance.  For the most part, the people of Israel ignored his prophecies.  They hated what he had to say.  But the message of Isaiah was not only about punishment and suffering, it was also a word of hope in the future.  After the people experienced the punishment of their sins and disobedience to God’s laws, they would see God’s hand of healing and restoration.  They would see the world rejoice once more.  Isaiah spoke of the coming Messiah, who would restore their joy!

On days when we struggle to see hope, peace, or joy, God creates moments of surprising joy in our lives.  Ann Voskamp, in her book One Thousand Blessings writes, “The secret to joy is to keep seeking God where we doubt He is.”  God continues to surprise us with beauty, protection, and mercy in our lives.  We can rejoice and give thanks when we have eyes to see God in places we do not expect.

What brings you joy today?  How can you share joy with someone else this week?

Immanuel, God-with-us, Incarnate, taking-on-flesh right here, right now.  Light in the shadows, flickering yet strong, leading us in the way. We light candles of hope, peace, and joy, that we might better see the way to good relationship with our with-us God who sits down in our midst to share our humanity.  Amen.