God of Joy
Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” – Nehemiah 8:10
At Christmastime we sing, “Joy to the World”, and wish one another “tidings of comfort and joy”. We all desire joy in our hearts and in the world. But it’s not easy to achieve a feeling of joy when difficult circumstances surround us. One of my favorite verses in the Bible comes from Nehemiah 8:10. The people of Israel had been exiled to Babylon, in the process of rebuilding the destroyed temple, they found the book of the law of Moses. When Ezra read the scrolls to the people, those who had known the old temple began grieving, but Nehemiah told them to celebrate the Passover feast as never before. They were to “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” – Nehemiah 8:10
The joy of the Lord is your strength… even in the midst of struggle. Even when it feels as though you have failed at everything, the joy of the Lord gives you strength. “Joy to the World” is not about being giddy over gifts. It is the proclamation that Jesus has come to bring forgiveness and grace. While we were still sinners, Jesus came to save us from sin. If you are struggling this season to be joyful, I encourage you to remember how God has been faithful in difficult times in your past. The joy of the Lord strengthens us to extend hope, peace, joy and love to people around us. Remind the people around you that God’s presence is near. Let us remember the encouraging words from the hymn “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen:”
God rest ye merry gentlemen let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day
To save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray
Oh tidings of comfort and joy; Comfort and joy!
Oh tidings of comfort and joy!
Last Sunday we lit the candle of Hope, remembering the hope which comes in Christ, and we lit the candle of Peace, remembering God’s dream of a peaceful world. This week we light the third candle of Advent, the candle of Joy.
In Advent, we are in a time of waiting. Like the Israelites who wandered through the Wilderness, waiting to come into the Promised Land, we wait for the coming of the Joy of Ages. We wait for the day where we can join our voices with the angels to sing “Joy to the World, the Lord is come!” We wait for the day when everlasting joy will be on each of us.
We light this candle in Joy.
We remember the Spirit who breathes joy into our lives.
