“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”Philippians 4:4


Advent is a time of joy, but let’s be honest—sometimes the joy gets buried under a mountain of to-do lists, tangled Christmas lights, trying to outdo yourself by hiding that darn elf in more and more creative spots . Yet, in the midst of all this chaos, we are called to rejoice.
   My mind often comes back to the wise men. They traveled a great distance, following a star. I know how little I enjoy traveling, even with modern amenities! One can only imagine how rough the trip was for them at that time. But they kept going, driven by the joy of finding the newborn King. When they finally arrived, they were overjoyed. Not just happy… but overjoyed. They didn’t let the journey’s difficulties steal their joy.
   In our own lives, joy can sometimes feel elusive, especially during the busy holiday season. But joy isn’t about perfect circumstances; it’s about finding delight in the midst of imperfection. It’s about laughing when your holiday plans fail spectacularly, or when you realize you’ve been singing the wrong lyrics to your favorite Christmas song. (Seriously, it blew my mind the day I learned there was no "other reindeer" named "Olive" that used to laugh and call Rudolph names. I laughed so hard at myself!)
   Joy is a gift from God, and it’s often found in the most unexpected places. It’s in the giggles of children, the warmth of a hug, and the beauty of a quiet snowfall. It’s in the moments when we pause, take a deep breath, and remember the true reason for the season.
   This Advent, let’s choose joy. Let’s find it in the jumbled mess of our lives and let it shine brightly. After all, the angel’s announcement to the shepherds was one of “great joy for all the people.” That includes you and me, even on our most chaotic days.
   For the next 24 days, take a moment each day to find and celebrate a small joy in your life. It could be a kind word from a friend, a beautiful sunset, or even a funny mishap. Share these moments with someone else and spread the joy. Let’s make this Advent season a time of joyful anticipation and connection.

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for the gift of joy. Help us to find it in the midst of our busy lives and to share it with others. As we prepare for Christmas, may our hearts be filled with the joy that comes from knowing you. Amen.