Do we want joy in our lives? During this season when the night comes early, there seems too much to do and not enough time to do it… we can become weighed down, or at least a little flustered. So … what about that joy?
In the “Joy” hymn is the answer and that is to “adore Him”. Spend time, throughout the day, whenever thoughts and demands crowd in, giving praise and thanks to God.
Praise feeds the source of our joy, worship offered up with gladness to God. Sometimes it seems we must warm up to it, maybe because we are so unused to bursting forth with exuberance of any kind. Beginning with thoughts of grateful thanks, and allowing the little child within to express heartfelt feeling as we meditate on the blessings of Jesus’ birth may help us to express true praise.
Why do you think it can be difficult to express praise, even for God?
Do we take time to consider the wonder, goodness, and greatness that we see? What do you think contributes to joy and becoming more joyful?
Try this: take something sweet and have everyone eat just a little of it- does this raise our sensitivity to thinking “good”?
While seated together during our Advent devotion, let everyone give the Lord a word of praise: “Lord, you have been good to me”, “Jesus, you are truly wonderful”. Whatever praise you can offer, go ahead and say it out loud.
Joy is inside that praise “offering”. Just like it resides inside an act of generosity or kindness.
Here are Mary’s words from Luke 1:
46 And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord,
47 And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
48 For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
49 For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation.
51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.
53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away.
54 He hath helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy;
55 As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.
Today’s Hymn/Carol is the “Ode to Joy”, Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
