Finding JOY in the Lord!

Philippians 4:4-9. Matthew 1:18-25

Today on the third Sunday of Advent, the candle we lit represents the joy in Christ. The angels announced in Luke 2:10 “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” Too often we lose our joy during the most joyful of all seasons for one reason or another

An often neglected person in our Christmas story is Joseph.  He is reeling and dealing with the news of Mary’s pregnancy.  In the moment, joy was not likely his primary feeling.  Doubt, shame, anger, a sense of betrayal all likely filled his heart. How did Mary get pregnant, anyway? a virgin birth?  Who’s the father?  God? – Even Mary’s mother might have a hard time believing her. How can I?  A broken engagement, a divorce.  What to do?

Many of us have gotten news that has brought forward some of these same feelings.  For Joseph and us, God intervenes.  While Joseph had the help of an angel to restore and shore up his faith, we have the entire Word of God.

Has this ever happened to you?  When a bad result turned into a good one?

“Rejoice in the Lord always,” Paul exhorts us. He was seeing things in a different way perhaps from what his congregations, newly minted Jesus followers, were seeing it.

Paul knew that these early Christians were probably wondering, “How is it possible to rejoice in view of our difficulties?” Persecutions, threatened safety, even death.  You might wonder this too as we huddle together in the shadows of wars, inflation, political conflict, illness and stress.  This Advent candle  reminds us that JOY comes through Jesus.

Paul also talks about gentleness.   He says, “let your gentleness be evident to ALL. Not just SOME people. Not just the people who are nice to you.

Paul’s next entreaty is  “Do not be Anxious About Anything: Paul is saying do not be OVERLY CONCERNED about things. This is a thief of joy that often comes in the night. When we stew and worry unnecessarily about things we lose our joy and replace it with worry and anxiety. What were you OVERLY CONCERNED about this week? Did it erode and erase your joy? Instead, Paul says whatever you are concerned about, take it to the Lord.  Leave it at the foot of the cross, my words,  with prayer, petition, and thanksgiving.

What happens if we do? The peace of God will guard your hearts and minds.

I Thess. 5:16-18 says, “Be joyful always. Give thanks IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

Romans 12:12 says to be “joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”  I know this is challenging and difficult.  I know for a fact that by doing these things, God’s peace will enter you when you least expect it.  Do not give up.  The Holy Spirit empowers you. Joy will return, first in brief moments and then lasting ones.

There was a story in the news one week about a woman who garnered community support to provide a furnished home for a woman and family who could no longer afford a place to live.   Complete with a Christmas tree. The joy on the children’s faces was unsurpassed. This woman did this for an employee of Dunkin Donuts whom she had come to know and reminds us that the best way to get joy, is to give it.  The joy of the divine within us that is Jesus is always present.  Sometimes we just have to dig deep but we can always find it.  Jesus is coming.  Emanuel, God with us.  Let us live out the joy given to us by Jesus.  Thanks be to God.  Amen.