It's the next focus of Advent.
Joy...my sister's middle name. Joy...the beginning of a very familiar Christmas carol. Joy...something that seems elusive in our world this day.
When is the last time you experienced true joy? I'm thinking back to the day my first niece was born and when I held her in my arms for the first time. It was as if time stood still and only the two of us were having a shared moment...a moment of knowing that we belonged to each other. Yes, you may think that is a ridiculous notion, but I'm telling you, there's no joy like a new baby, especially one that deeply connected to you.
One of my good friends recently announced that she is pregnant and they are expecting another baby girl. My heart is welling up right now just thinking about this new life that I get to be a part of.
True joy comes in the realization that God is continually making things new. New life in a baby's cry, new life in a sunrise, new life in the transformation of grace in a person's life, new life in a student recognizing the letter "B," new life in waking up for the day, new life in a hug that gets you through the day.
Joy is life. Joy is not happiness. If happiness is our goal, we will fail and be miserable. If joy is our goal, we will see the transformations all around us. We will begin to see how God is transforming us within to be joy to others.
Joy to the world.
Hear the Christ child's cry.
Look into his face and know that he belongs to you and you belong to him.
Be joy today.
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