Joy is with us

This weekend we will light the third candle on our Advent wreath, this is often referred to as the candle of joy. If you follow the Advent tradition, you may notice that this is a pink candle. Joy is something that we notice. It stands out from the other weeks.

I really like this tradition, because it shows us that joy can be revealed before we see the baby born in a manger. You don't have to light all five candle to find joy. Joy is experienced along the way, though faith. This is true in our world as well. We don't always get to see the ending. We don't know where the ups and downs of life are going to take us, but it is possible to find joy along the way.

Are you able to feel God's Joy in your life?

I have sat with a number of people in the hospital recently. Some were in pain. Others were grieving, but everyone of them was going to face a difficult season. It is so hard when a part of us is missing. Perhaps we are missing a loved one, or we may feel like something is missing in our own hearts. Whatever is going on, Christ's message is the same: "I am with you always."

Throughout the Christmas season we hear God promise that Christ is with us. We may feel insignificant. We may feel broken beyond repair. However, God never abandons or forsakes us. We are each loved beyond what we can comprehend. I think our goal is to try and live by faith. If we can trust that we are not alone, we can also discover joy. 

Today you may be hurting or lost. That is okay. God is still with you. You may feel like you have pushed God away or rejected God's goodness somehow. That's also okay. God is not going to give up on you. We are all loved. If we can take one step toward God in faith, I believe we can start to discover the joy that God has already prepared for us. 

Blessings,

Brian Ward