Advent: Joy (Week 4)
INTRO
Joy comes from seeing the world and our life in it in a different light.
John 1:4-5; 9-12 NLT: 4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it… 9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God
John 1:5 NLT: 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Luke 2:9-10 NLT: 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.
Radiant light accompanied the telling of Jesus’s rescue mission (the gospel), and it brought joy to all people, even though they still lived in darkness.
Isaiah 9:2-3 NIV: The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder.
We rejoice not because we are oblivious to the darkness around us, including the pain of others. We rejoice as an act of faithful defiance of the darkness, trusting that the darkness can never extinguish the Light of the World, who has already come and is coming again.
“Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day. We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom. We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence. We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light. To you we say, ‘Come Lord Jesus!’ Amen.” – Henri Nouwen
