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Good News of Great Joy

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash
 
A few weeks ago, our oldest child, Ella, in the middle of playing in her room randomly said, “I wish coronavirus was a dream. Then it would just go away.”
 
Same.
 
And honestly, in that moment, I thought to myself, “I wish all of 2020 were a dream. Then it would just go away.”
 
I know, what an overwhelming sentiment of joy. 

And yet, in this season of Advent, that is a part of the invitation – Who brings you joy? What brings you joy? When have you felt joy? Where is the joy? How have you experienced joy? 
 
In a year like 2020, joy is a lot like that fancy new gift everyone wants, but no one can seem to find. Our “shopping carts” are empty and we’re left feeling defeated and deflated. 
 
As I’ve been reflecting on joy, I got to thinking about the shepherds. Remember them from Luke’s gospel? (See Luke 2:8-20) 
 
They were simply minding their business, “keeping watch over their flock,” when all of a sudden, an “angel of the Lord” appeared. Rightfully so, “they were terrified.”  But the angel says to them, “I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.”
 
And so, filled with terror, amazement, wonder, and joy, the shepherds respond by going “with haste and [find] Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger.”
 
The year of 2020 feels a lot like this scene with the shepherds. 
 
We were simply minding our business, “keeping watch over our flocks.” And then came the startling disruption. We’re terrified. And yet, somewhere, somehow, we’re invited to make our way “with haste” towards this invitation of joy, finding ourselves in the tension of deep grief and deep gladness, birthed in the unexpected and unassuming.    
 
So no, I don’t wish that 2020 were a dream. I’m going to acknowledge the sadness, the grief, the loss, and the fear. I’m terrified. But I’m also going to accept the invitation to explore the ways in which 2020 birthed “great joy.”
 
For example, joy has arrived in our kitchen in the form of random and seemingly endless family dance parties. (I highly recommend “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) by Whitney Houston!) 
 
And so, finally, I extend the invitation to you. How has joy entered into your life and interrupted the disruptions of 2020? And as you explore this joy, may you do so to the beat of random dance parties in your kitchen. 
Amen. 
 
Resources
Here are a few resources for thinking about and exploring joy this week:
 
-       Strange New World Podcast: Understanding Christmas – Part Three
-       SoulPancake: Snap Your Joy
-       Yale Center for Faith and Culture: Theology of Joy & the Good Life
 
Activity and Prayer
Keep a “joy journal” this week. Each day write down those people, places, and things that invite and offer joy, especially in unexpected and unassuming ways. As you reflect on your "joy journal," offer this simple prayer, "God of Wonder and Delight, thank you for the gift of great joy. Amen."

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