Advent

  A Liturgical Celebration Leads to Greater Love

Week Three: Joy

The weeks of Advent are slipping by! We’re already in Week Three, which symbolizes JOY:

Often, the candle representing JOY on the Advent wreath is pink. Called the “Bethlehem Candle,” it is pink because rose is the liturgical color representing JOY.

The night Jesus was born, Luke reports an angel appeared to a group of shepherds who were simply doing what shepherds do on a chilly winter night. They were taking care of their sheep. The angelic appearance terrified the shepherds. But then,

… the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” (Luke 2:10 ESV)

Fear is generally known as a negative emotion in reaction to an unsafe situation. JOY, however, is a positive emotion, which chases away fear and creates a sense of safety. Perhaps it was the message of JOY that gave those shepherds courage to travel as quickly as they could to Bethlehem for a glimpse of the Savior, the long-awaited Messiah.

According to Galatians 5:22-23, JOY is a “fruit of the Spirit.” In my spiritual formation journey, I have learned my cooperation with the work of the Spirit in me enables spiritual fruit, such as JOY, to grow despite negative emotions and circumstances that sabotage quickly and easily.

Henri Nouwen, a Dutch priest, writer, theologian, and professor at prestigious universities such as Notre Dame, Harvard, and Yale said,

“Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and
keep choosing it every day.

Blessings as you choose JOY this week,

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