Intentional Advent: Day 15

As we embark on the third week of Advent and the third candles are lit on the  Advent wreaths, we begin to focus on the theme of Joy.  

Luke 2:10 tells us, “Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” This is right after Gabriel tells the shepherds to “Fear Not.” 

“Fear not” is a recurring phrase we find throughout the Christmas story.  

As Gabriel said in the above scripture, the declaration of Jesus coming into the world was for all people!  It was a declaration of joy!  

Sometimes, joy can be confused with happiness.  The truth is that sometimes, our circumstances make it difficult to feel joyful because we do not feel happy.  That’s when I’m reminded of the common phrase “Choose Joy”. Joy is so much more than happiness.

Joy is…

…trusting when there is uncertainty.

…accepting when you want to reject.

…praising when you want to complain.  

How do you define JOY?