Christ comes bringing ... joy?
I'll admit. This one is going to be hard to write. How - in the face of the school shootings in Newtown, CT - can I possibly write about Joy? What would I possibly have to say - and more importantly what could Scripture possibly have to say - about Joy that could seem relevant and important right now?
To be honest - my first answer is "Nothing could be relevant. I can't write about Joy now".
But the truth that Christ brings us joy remains true. Even in what feels like the darkest moments of life. Even when we can't see happiness anywhere - and cannot fathom ever feeling happy again - there is still joy. Yes, we hurt, we mourn, we feel lost and empty. And yet - Christ still did come, and promised to come again. There really is a sense of joy that can be found, as long as we understand that joy doesn't have to look like happy. It's different.
Joy, like hope and peace, is bigger than what we usually mean. Hope isn't just wishing - it is actively looking forward with confident expectancy. Peace isn't just the absence of war - it is the growing and healing and living. Both words from the previous 2 weeks point to movement forward. To not stagnating. To not stopping where we are.
So does Joy. We're not talking about being giddy that Santa brought us the doll house we always wanted. Or the bike we've been dreaming of. We're talking about something much more deep-rooted. Deeper in our souls - and lasting way longer than the sugar-high from the chocolate in our stocking.
The joy that we remember - and celebrate - this day, is the joy that comes from knowing Christ. Knowing that we are reconciled to God - that we are not cast out anymore. We are truly forgiven for the mess we make of our own lives - and with that forgiveness comes hope... and peace... and true joy.
This joy is not a blind giddiness that ignores the pain of life. But rather, a sense that - even in the midst of the most painful moments of our lives - we are not alone and we can have hope. God didn't promise that everything would be hunky-dory if we believed. He promised everlasting life. And part of that life is this life, here on earth. Where there IS war. Where there IS pain. Where there is doubt, and loneliness, and depression, and illness, and death.
But Christ is the Emmanuel - God with us. Every step of the way, we have One who walks with us. Who hears our pain. Who knows our pain and mourns with us.
Let us pray together that the coming of our Emmanuel - our God with us - will truly send away the gloom and clouds and shadows. And give us hope and peace - and true Joy. One day at a time.
O come, Thou Day-Spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel.
Today's Readings
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