In the first week of Advent, we considered the Hope of our faith, now and to come. Last week, we studied the various prophecies of Messiah which were fulfilled by Jesus the Christ.
The Old Testament lesson from Isaiah gives multiple reasons for Joy. “The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom…They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God…He will come and save you.’…the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert…the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return…with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” (Isaiah 35:1-10)
Like the Isaiah prophecy last week, this reading proclaims the return of the exiles and a new day of joy, peace, and blessing. Healing, water in the desert, salvation from God are all promised. There will be no fear, and the desert itself will ‘rejoice and blossom’. All are reasons for joy.
The ultimate reason for Joy is found in the Psalm, which proclaims, “Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help! whose hope is in the Lord their God…who keeps his promise for ever; Who gives justice to those who are oppressed, and food to those who hunger.” The Psalmist continues by stating that prisoners are freed, blind have sight restored, and “the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down…the Lord cares for the stranger; he sustains the orphan and widow…” (Psalm: 146:4-9)
God is the one who ‘keeps his promise’ and redeems the captive. God also ‘cares for the orphan, widow, and stranger’. God is the only one who can bring the ultimate joy. We, who are at work with God to bring the Kingdom to fruition, are called to be instruments of God’s joy in offering hope, healing, and care.
We are able to do this because of the joy found in the Sunday Epistle. The Letter of James offers encouragement, and warning, “Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord…Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.” (James 5:7-10)
Because ‘the coming of the Lord is near’, we can be instruments of God’s grace and love and joy. James states that ‘the Judge is standing at the door’, and we will each be required to answer for our works of Love and Hope and Joy in the world. Our readings today remind us that real joy is found in the restoration of the lost and healing of the ill and care for the disenfranchised. How can you and I bring a little Joy into this time of year when the secular focus is on joy equaling the latest gadget?
Finally, the Gospel returns us to John. No longer the wild prophet proclaiming Messiah’s coming, he is a prisoner who is beginning to doubt his own words. John wonders if his prophetic work and words were in vain. He sends “his disciples [who ask Jesus], ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’” Jesus answers with the good news and joy the prophets promised. “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.” Then Jesus affirms John’s ministry by asking the people, “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at?...A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, ’See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’…no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” (Matthew 11:2-11)
This week, for our Advent Mandala, we will find images and symbols that represent Joy throughout the story of God, as well as in our daily lives. Below are the suggested readings for each day this week, or you can simply re-read the Sunday lessons. More info in the downloadable instructions, which come with suggested images to cut out or create, or you can create your own as the lessons speak to your heart.
Monday:
Joy in/for/with family as we look at Mary & Joseph (Luke 2:1-7)
Tuesday:
Joy in/for/with community as we hear from the angels (Luke 2:8-20)
Wednesday:
Joy in/for/with world because Jesus is the Light of world (John 1:6-9, 8:12)
Thursday:
Joy in/for/with nature as we remember God provides (Ruth 1:16, 2:3)
Friday:
Joy in/for/with self because God loves me (John 3:16)
Saturday: Joy in action-what can I do to spread Joy?
I will be posting pictures of my evolving wreath on Facebook. I would love it if you would send pics of yours, too. Of course, you may want to use clip art one day and make your own symbol the next. This is your spiritual aid, make it personal and user friendly!
