Things That Bring Joy

Joy is my growing edge. The thing that I struggle with is not being willing to sit in the dark and heavy things, it is instead learning to sit in and celebrate the joys—no matter how big or small. The third Sunday in Advent, which was Sunday, December 11, the Joy candle was lit on the Advent wreath. It is typically the pink candle, which is the color representing joy. In honor of the Joy candle and theme, this is a list of some of the things that bring me joy.

• The colorful twinkling lights of my Christmas tree, especially early in the morning before I go to work

• Drinking tea in my favorite chair

• Baking cookies/treats and sharing them with others

• Curling up on the couch in the evening, with my Netflix fireplace on and reading

• Sitting at the kitchen table and eating dinner with Will

• Writing

• Lighting my candles

• The warm glow of soft lighting in the darkness of night and morning

• People sharing their stories with me

• Baking bread and eating it with people I love

• Having my nails done

• My morning routine (drinking tea, lighting my candle, journaling, and preparing myself for the day—occasionally making bread)

• Christmas pajamas (that are not flannel)

  I collect the small joys and the big ones too, because in the midst of suffering and a wounded world I need to be reminded that there is still such beauty and sacredness. Sacred things are not only found in religious places or buildings— they can be found right here in the comforts of my own home and in the rhythms of my daily life.

  Several sermons I have heard recently on what are typically known as “apocalyptic texts”, texts that might use language of signs, wait and be prepared, that seem like scary warnings; have gone against a tendency to use them to invoke fear. These sermons have instead invited us to read them as texts of hope and to keep awake and be prepared for the Kingdom of God is drawing near right here and right now, where we are. The joys I celebrate, the joys I am invited to celebrate in, they all serve as reminders that truly the Kingdom of God is here even as it continues to draw ever closer and is still yet to fully come. The joy of Advent is that we get to live into the uncomfortable of here and now and not fully here yet.

  May the senses of our hearts be open to seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, and feeling the joys that point us to the Kingdom of God, to the sacredness of creation, to the Love that weaves its way throughout this world. May we keep awake, keep watch—knowing that the Kingdom draws near even as it is inbreaking a little bit here and a little bit there, here and now. Amen.