by Pastor Douglas Brauner

Empowered by Joy

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.”
James 1:2-3 English Standard Version

A major theme of the advent season is joy. All of us want to experience joy. The problem is that we equate happiness with joy. The joy that we have in the coming Christ child is deeper than happiness.

I’m happy when the Oregon Ducks win, however, I’m sad when they lose.

I’m happy when I’m with my family, however, I’m sad when we don’t see each other.

I’m happy when a photograph I took turns out better than I expected, however, I’m sad when the pic doesn’t turn out the way I had hoped.

Happiness and sadness are emotions we feel when aspects of our life are either good or bad, hoped for or dreaded.

If we think joy and happiness are the same thing, we cannot understand what James means when he says that we are to “count it all joy…when we meet various trials…” Joy carries us through both times of happiness and sadness, times of hope and of dread. So, what is joy?

Joy is knowing that nothing can separate you from God’s love because of Jesus. Joy is the kissing cousin of grace. In the Greek language, the language of the New Testament, both the words grace and joy come from the same root. We experience joy because the gift of grace in Christ covers us throughout our earthly journey.

Our joy comes from outside of us but dwells in us. Our joy is the gift of the Christ child that we anticipate again this Advent season. You might be in the throes of grief and wonder if there is hope that you will be happy again. It’s okay not to feel happy but know this; joy is yours because it is a gift of the Christ child born for you even when you don’t feel happy.

Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado