JOY: Make Room for God's Work in You

Sunday, December 14th

JOY: Make Room for God's Work in You

Reflect:

Zechariah recognizes God working the way God promised to Abraham.

• How do you see God give mercy, miracles, or love in a way you've read about in scriptures?

Share with your community: When you feel God's presence, what's your default? Singing? Tongues or prophecy? Prayer?

Monday, December 15th

The difference between happiness and joy is short- and long-term. Happiness can be fleeting—temporary and dependent upon things external to oneself. Joy is tied to one’s fulfillment over time, relationships with others, and sense of purpose.

Seasonal Thoughts:

Yep, it’s Christmastime!

We imagine Mary in our scriptures as being happy. Honestly, it must be stressful when people around you (in 1 B.C.E.) don’t believe the real reason you’re pregnant before marriage. But one’s sense of purpose and fulfillment brings internal joy that you might not express when you are temporarily inconvenienced, insulted, devalued. Could it be that those who “delight in the Lord” in our scriptures had terrible days when their joy didn’t make them happy? (Did that make sense?)

Today’s Practice: Community

Talk With family, with a friend, or typing into your device, express what makes you glad you’re in the world. What makes you feel like others need you? What do you want to do in life that will leave a lasting, positive impression when you’re gone?

Scripture

Job 8:20-22

“See, God will not reject the blameless,

nor take the hand of evildoers.

God will yet fill your mouth with laughter

and your lips with shouts of joy.”

Wait, that came from JOB?! Yes, the man who lost everything and suffered chronic pain knew that his circumstances were temporary, but that God was good; that he had a purpose that God would fulfill in him again.

Prayer

God, help me to be concerned with the ways that I will bless your children.

Don’t let me become discouraged with my doubts, failures, or fears.

Help me to remember your plans to prosper me and give me a future.

Amen.

Share Time!

Tell us about what you perceive as your purposes. Tell about what makes you happy you’re here

on Earth. [If you’re on the International Space Station, tell us about that, too!] What do you think about to make you feel valued when you’re in terrible circumstances? Or do you forget, like me sometimes, that your circumstances will not consume your life forever? What gives you joy that

you’ve accomplished or made a goal?

Tuesday, December 16th

Has anyone else noticed the order of Advent aspects seem to be built on top of each other? Without Hope, Peace is hard to attain and without Peace, Joy begins to feel out of reach as well?

I can't imagine that these aspects aren't specific for that reason. Building upon each week of advent, we create further support in our minds and souls to have more room for the next week's aspect. Then, by the time Christ is here at the end of Advent, we've made enough room for Christ in our hearts and radiate all the aspects of Hope Peace, Joy and Love to best represent Christ in us.

But if we're struggling with one, how can we remind ourselves and continue building?

-Kiersten

Today’s Practice

Joy is not the same as happiness but they're also not mutually exclusive. Today, I invite you to light your joy candle find a paper and a pencil/pen.

If moving through advent means we move through hope and peace first to find joy third, then for this exercise, I want you to make a Venn diagram with three circles. One for hope, peace and then happiness. In the center of these, we hope to find joy. (Pun not intended.)

Joy is not the same as happiness but they're also not mutually exclusive. Joy is deeper, rooted in our souls and outlasts happiness however I also argue that joy causes happiness and when you have happiness, it can be easier to identify your joy.

Start filling in each section of the Venn diagram. What in your life gives you peace or where can you find hope? What brings you happiness?

In the center begin to narrow down the combinations of these that are your joy.

Scripture for Today

"Count it all joy, my siblings , when you meet trials of various kinds".

-James 1:2

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

A Thought to Hold

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Proverbs 17:22

Discussion Question

Was there an item in your Venn-diagram that surprised you?

Prayer

God of Joy, thank you for making room in my heart for your blessings and your trials. Show me all the ways to count your Joy so I can better shine your light of Joy, Peace, Hope and Love while room is made in my soul for Christ.

Wednesday, December 17th

Joy as the Childlike Wonder We Never Outgrow

Joy is one of the most misunderstood gifts of Advent.

It’s not constant cheerfulness.

It’s not pretending everything is fine.

And it’s not the shallow happiness the world sells us this time of year.

Joy is a window; a moment of childlike wonder breaking through the cracks of ordinary life.

Children have a way of showing us this. A way of finding delight in small things. A way of laughing even on hard days. A way of believing that goodness is possible, even when circumstances are complicated.

Joy for them is not denial. It’s resilience. It’s light that refuses to go out. It’s trust that sneaks in even when the world feels larger than they are.

Advent invites us to recover that kind of joy; not childishness, but childlikeness. Jesus didn’t say, “Grow up and understand the kingdom.” He said, “Become like children.” Because children can see wonder long before they can explain it.

As a worship leader, I often feel the weight of production, preparation, and performance. But joy asks something different of me: to stay open long enough for wonder to reach me. Even in tiredness. Even in stress. Even in sorrow.

Joy doesn’t erase difficult circumstances, it shines in spite of them. Just like the shepherds on a cold hillside. Just like Mary carrying mystery in her body. Just like Elizabeth laughing with a miracle she did not expect.

Today, as you light the candle of Joy, may you remember that joy doesn’t demand a perfect life, it simply asks for a heart willing to notice.

Today’s Practice — “Childlike Wonder”

1. Light your candle of Joy.

Let it remind you of the way a child looks at a tiny flame, not as a task, but as magic. Let joy be small, but bright.

2. Play this song:

It’s a song full of gratitude, wonder, and joy that’s not naive; it’s rooted.

3. As the song plays, try this practice:

Close your eyes and remember a moment from your childhood when you felt genuine wonder:

• A snowfall

• A Christmas light

• A gift you didn’t expect

• A song

• A moment when you felt loved without question

Let your body remember what that felt like.

Wonder is a doorway to joy.

4. Now ask yourself:

“Where do I see a glimpse of that same wonder now, even in the middle of my grown-up life?”

You don’t need a big answer.

5. After the song, finish this sentence:

“Today, joy feels like…”

 Scripture for Today

“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” — Matthew 18:3

When Jesus invites us to become like children, He isn’t calling us to immaturity; He’s calling us back to openness. Children trust easily, receive joy without trying to earn it, and notice wonder in the smallest things. They can hold both sadness and delight without losing their capacity for joy.

Jesus is reminding us that the kingdom is entered not through control or certainty, but through a childlike posture — one that remains soft, expectant, and ready to be surprised by God.

A Thought to Hold

Joy is not happiness. Joy is a steady flame that keeps shining even when the wind picks up.

Family / Personal Question

Share in the comments and with your family:

What moment of childlike wonder have you experienced recently, even in a difficult season? What made that moment possible?

Prayer

God of Joy, teach us to see the world the way children do with open eyes, soft hearts, and a readiness to wonder. Let joy break into our week in simple ways, in small sparks, in steady light, and in the places we least expect it. Amen.

Thursday, December 18th

As we’ve lit the Joy candle for this week’s Advent Wreath, I wonder if my expression of thanks for my spiritual tasks and pastoral work are palpable and obvious to others. I know I have visible anxiety sometimes. I’ve been very open about that. What joy is demanded of us? Yeah, what joy is demanded?

“Joy to the World!”

“The Fruits of the Spirit are love, joy, peace patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

“I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother.” (Philemon 1:7)

“My brothers and sisters, whenever you face various trials, consider it all joy.” (James 1:2)

“Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.” (Psalm 126:6)

I look at the scriptures for what joy really means: the word “joy” appears about 200 times in the Bible (give or take, depending on your translation). “Happy” appears 87 times, and “happiness” only 7.

I notice a lot more written about Joy in the Old Testament. The writing style of the OT seems more concerned with telling a lesson through stories, whereas a lot in the NT is instructional. That’s a generalization. Of course, Proverbs are great instructions, and Jesus and the Acts community taught with stories, but I hear a lot of people talk about how hard the Old Testament

is to read, and it really requires more thought critical of its characters.

There are so many characters in the OT described as having joy! But they are not always happy with their circumstances. Joy is part of a story. It is not the present circumstance, but the self-respect, the feeling of accomplishment, the fulfillment, of serving God and others. You may be unhappy giving so much of your time and resources, but you are fulfilled that you made the world a better place. You loved God’s children as you were commanded. You built up for yourself treasures in Heaven when you did that!

-Pastor Gavin

Activity:

I know last week I made you make two lists, I know, I know, but I’m doing it again: make a list of some things that make you happy in a circumstance. I like steak. I like the rumble of an engine when I’m downshifting and accelerating. I like laying in a hammock in the hot summer breeze. Now, list what gives you joy. When someone tells me with tears in their eyes that I helped—be that a sermon, a gift, time spent. I guess it’s when I have given someone part of me that made them feel loved. Maybe that’s how joy leads into love (next Advent week)!

Prayer:

God, help me to live for joy in giving;

Help me to care more for long-term fulfillment than immediate pleasure.

I want to take care of your children—to feed your sheep.

Attract me to sources of righteous joy, not selfish happiness.

Remind me of the treasures in heaven over the rewards of self-seeking.

Amen.

Share:

Tell us how your fulfillment in service has been more meaningful than treasures you gave up.

Friday, December 19th

I truly believe that everyone has at least two laughs. There’s one you make (voluntarily or involuntarily) when you feel you should laugh. You know what I mean? You are in a social setting and you “laugh” because other people are laughing or because you feel that something was said or done that warrants a laugh. However, everyone has a second, true laugh. That laugh comes when you are so genuinely comfortable and surprised that it spills from you in a beautiful moment of pure joy, even if the things surrounding that moment are not perfect. That laugh is less polished, less socially conditioned, less “laugh” and more “expression of true joy”.

One of my favorite things to do is make people laugh that real laugh, especially when it’s a difficult moment or time where they would not normally put on their fake laugh. It fills my heart and I know that for an instant, it does for that person too. This is going to sound irreverent, but I truly believe that it’s something divine. God created us to have these intense outward expressions of joy. They are infectious and show how safe and happy we can be, even if for a moment. God is the giver of that true joy.

I reflect on these laughs when thinking about Mary and Elizabeth meeting in the Luke story. I imagine the baby leaping and the spoken words are cut with the true laughter of both women. What more beautiful sound is there than those filled with laughter and joy because God has made their presence known in an undeniable way? Despite any potential fear or unease these women may have felt, in this moment, they were overjoyed with confidence and surprise at the goodness of God. May we all be so blessed this holiday season and may we be unafraid to share with each other.

~ Andrew Raney

Today’s Practice

Think of the last time you genuinely laughed - that real laugh. Who or what made you laugh like that? If it was a person, take a moment to say thank you! If it was something that you witnessed, share it with a loved one. Hopefully they will have a moment of pure joy too. 

Scripture for Today

Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”

A Thought to Hold

Laughter is an outward expression of the joy God gives, and I will share mine without shame when it comes.

Family Question

How can we reflect the joy of God in others when it is expressed?

Prayer

God of Joy,

Thank you for laughter and the moments of true joy you provide us. Give us the freedom of spirit to express them and share with others, even when we are feeling other things that threaten that joy.

Share With Your Community

Share something that made you truly laugh recently. Others may benefit from hearing your experience!

Saturday, December 13th

Joy Hidden in the Things We Love

Saturdays often hold a different kind of joy; the joy of stepping out of our routines and into the things that make us feel most alive.

For me, Saturdays are the days I get to play board games or RPGs with friends. It’s not a church event, it’s not structured worship, but it is community. Laughter around a table, inside jokes, stories we build together, that moment when someone rolls perfectly against all odds.

And honestly? Those moments bring me real joy.

Sometimes we forget that joy doesn’t always look like worship songs or sacred spaces. Sometimes joy looks like friendship. Like creativity. Like play. Like gathering around something simply because it makes us feel connected and human.

Joy is not limited to the “holy” parts of life; joy is one of the ways God meets us in ordinary places, reminding us that we are made for connection, delight, and shared experiences.

Advent joy is not confined to candlelight and Scripture readings. Advent joy is also found in:

• game nights

• shared meals

• inside jokes

• hobbies that make us forget to check the time

• people we feel safe enough to be ourselves with

And here’s the beautiful thing:

The joy we experience in our hobbies and friendships prepares our hearts for worship in ways we don’t always expect.

When we gather tomorrow, we don’t come as people trying to “manufacture” joy. We come as people who have already tasted it;

in our circles, our hobbies, our creativity, our laughter, our rest.

The joy we experience in play is the same joy God uses to knit us together in community. It’s the same joy that rises when we sing together, pray together, breathe together.

~ Aaron Bostwick

Today’s Practice

1. Light your candle of Joy.

Let it remind you of the joy already woven into your life.

2. Think of a hobby, activity, or gathering that brings you joy.

Gaming, cooking, reading, crafting, hiking, music, sports — whatever it is.

3. Ask yourself:

• What about this brings me joy?

• Who do I feel connected to through it?

• How does this joy point me toward God’s goodness?

4. Hold this simple prayer:

“God, thank You for the joy I find in the things I love, and for the people I share them with.”

Scripture for Today

“Every good and perfect gift is from above.” — James 1:17

Even the joy of a game night.

A Thought to Hold

Joy grows wherever we are willing to notice it..

in worship

in play

in friendship

in community.

Family / Personal Question

Share in the comments and with your family:

What hobby or gathering brings you joy?

How might that joy open your heart to encounter God in worship tomorrow?

Prayer

God of Joy, thank You for meeting us in the things we love.

Bless our hobbies, our friendships, our moments of play, and let the joy we find there prepare our hearts for the joy we’ll share in worship tomorrow. Amen.