Advent 2024 | Week 3: Joy

On choosing to rejoice no matter life's circumstances | Joy Sunday | Gaudété Sunday | Advent Series 2024 | Emmanuel, God with us | Jesus Christ | Christianity

Featured image credit: Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Old Bridge, NJ

December 1, 2024: Hope | December 8, 2024: Peace | December 15, 2024: Joy | December 22, 2024: Love | Christmas Day 2024

Our Advent Journey of Joy

Pausing the Holiday Rush to Rejoice

How are you doing, dear readers, this third Sunday in Advent? Both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are fast approaching. I see people in my community rushing to get their holiday tasks done on time.

May we use today, as much as our schedules allow, to press the pause button and meditate on joy, on rejoicing in the Lord.

Joy Sunday (Gaudété Sunday)

Happy Gaudété Sunday! What is it? To learn more, visit the post I wrote in 2022.

This Sunday, we light the rose-colored candle, the Joy candle (also called the shepherds’ candle).

Luke 2:8-12 (BSB)
8 And there were shepherds residing in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks by night. 9 Just then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy¹ that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord! 12 And this will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

The shepherds back in Joseph’s and Mary’s day weren’t weak and mild caretakers. Even though teens often cared for the sheep, the shepherds fought predators (including lions and bears) with a fierce courage to keep their flocks alive. The sheep provided much-needed resources and income for the household.

With that type of courage in mind, imagine the terror the shepherds felt when they saw the angel of the Lord. Yikes! Yahweh’s loyal angels aren’t sweet, chubby-cheeked cherubs. They’re heaven’s armies, loyal soldiers of the almighty God of Israel. When an angel appeared to a human (Daniel, Mary, Joseph, for example), the first words the angel spoke were along the lines of, “Do not fear.”

Yeah. Right.

And yet, this terrifying being who shook the shepherds to their core brought good news of great joy!

What is this joy?

Hebrews 12:2 (BSB)
2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy¹ set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

¹ Luke 2:10 and Heb. 12:2, “joy” in Koinē Greek is: [ χαρὰ - chara ]

It’s a joy so great, so profound, that Jesus knew it would be there, waiting for Him, on the other side of His sorrowful, horrific crucifixion. It’s a forever joy in which we, who receive His gracious gift of salvation, will live forever in His awesome presence. That’s what Jesus looked forward to during His earthly ministry. That’s what gave Jesus “chara”, joy: Reuniting us with Father God through His victory over sin and death. He looked forward to that wonderful day when we will attend the marriage supper of the Lamb of God.

Revelation 19:6-7 (BSB)
6 And I heard a sound like the roar of a great multitude, like the rushing of many waters, and like a mighty rumbling of thunder, crying out:

“Hallelujah!

For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.

7 Let us rejoice and be glad
and give Him the glory.
For the marriage of the Lamb has come,
and His bride has made herself ready.

Chara, Joy/Gladness/Delight

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“In the New Testament, "chara" describes a deep, abiding sense of joy and gladness that is rooted in spiritual realities rather than external circumstances. It is often associated with the presence of the Holy Spirit and the believer's relationship with God. This joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) and is characterized by a sense of inner peace and contentment that transcends worldly troubles.

“In the Greco-Roman world, joy was often linked to external circumstances, such as success, wealth, or pleasure. However, the New Testament redefines joy as a spiritual state that is independent of external conditions. This Christian understanding of joy is deeply connected to the hope and assurance found in Jesus Christ, His resurrection, and the promise of eternal life. The early Christians experienced joy even amidst persecution and suffering, viewing it as a testament to their faith and the presence of God in their lives.

[ Source: Strong’s Concordance: 5479, chara, χαρὰ - BibleHub.com ]

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This Advent season, as I meditate each week on Jesus’ second coming, it feels so far away. I’m guessing that’s how Yahweh’s faithful people felt hundreds and hundreds of years before Emmanuel was born in Bethlehem. It comforts me to read passages in the Old Testament that express their longing for the fulfillment of Yahweh’s promised king, redeemer, our Messiah. I love passages that express their joy as they imagine what that day will be like.

Isaiah 51:11 (BSB)
11 So the redeemed of the Lord will return
and enter Zion with singing,
crowned with everlasting joy².
Gladness and joy² will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee.

² Verse 11, “joy” in Hebrew is: [ שִׂמְחָה - simchah ]

Simchah, Happiness/Celebration

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“The Hebrew word "simchah" conveys a sense of joy, gladness, or mirth. It is often used to describe a state of happiness or celebration, whether in personal, communal, or religious contexts. In the Old Testament, "simchah" is frequently associated with festivals, worship, and the blessings of God. It reflects both an internal state of joy and the external expression of that joy through actions and celebrations.

In ancient Israel, joy was a significant aspect of religious and communal life. Festivals such as Passover, Pentecost, and the Feast of Tabernacles were times of great rejoicing, as they celebrated God's provision and deliverance. Joy was also a response to God's presence and blessings, as seen in the Psalms and other writings. The concept of joy in the Hebrew Bible is deeply connected to the covenant relationship between God and His people, where joy is both a gift from God and a response to His faithfulness.”

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Let’s Practice Living in Joy

Can we live in joy no matter life’s circumstances? Yes, we can, and it may not be what you think. I love the video posted below because the commentary includes what living in joy isn’t, especially when we face loss and sorrow. I feel it’s worth the 4 minutes and 31 seconds of your time.

Whatever the world may offer, it cannot compare to the joy of the Lord. Living in His joy, His simchah, means living in His presence and celebrating His blessings. Let’s be like the ancient Israelites and let’s party! Maybe we can organize a biblical festival or two in our communities and invite local Jesus followers to join us in celebrating what God has done (and, what He’s currently doing).

Let’s nurture godly joy, His chara, by focusing on spiritual realities. We find them in God’s word. Let’s frequently turn off the “noise” from the world and spend that time with Him as we let the word of God dwell in us richly day by day.

Yes, there is joy in commemorating the newborn King, Emmanuel, in that Bethlehem manger that the angels sang about to the shepherds.

However, there is even greater joy, simchah and chara, we can celebrate in the second coming of our King of kings and Lord of lords. The Lord fulfilled His first promise. He will keep His second promise and He’ll come again for His bride.

Dear readers, no matter what, let’s rejoice! Gaudété!

Video

BibleProject - Joy (4 mins 31 secs)

Maranatha, come Lord Jesus.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Conversation & Community

Let’s talk about God’s joy:

• What is it about Jesus’ first coming that gives you joy today?

• What is it about Jesus’ promised second coming that gives you joy for the future?

As always, feel free to send me an email:

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