The Christmas Practice of Joy

Advent Week 3

Miller’s Station UMC

Quick note – sometimes pastors recycle content. the opening and pieces of this post look like last years.

I am going to be level with you all, Christmas has never been my thing. I was a real pill as a kid. We did not know much about ADHD back in the 80’s, it was still treated as a retardation by many of my teachers (though not clinically so) and had not made it the learning disorder or behavioral health concern like it is today. In my most recent training on Autism in 2022, the presenters even put ADHD under the umbrella of neurodivergence. Needless to say, I was often overstimulated, often hollered at and my Italian family put the fun in dysfunctional.

As an adult, I find all the commercialization and the romanticizing too much. But there are some very special parts of the season that I feel are important. Contemplating the Advent themes in lectio and embodying them in contemplatio are perhaps some of the most meaningful ways we can celebrate the season.

This week in Advent, we consider Joy.

The Interrelatedness of Compassion and Joy

We cannot have joy without compassion. Let us imagine joy as a light that radiates from within, illuminating the world around us, while compassion acts as a gentle embrace, comforting those it touches. Together, they work in harmony to deepen our connections with others and enrich our own lives.

Joy often arises when we practice compassion. When we embody compassion and extend this towards others, we will begin to sense the interconnectedness of these two practices. Through this practice, our sense of joy grows as we recognize the positive impact we’re making on those around us. In turn, this joy fuels our compassion, making it an abundant and self-replenishing resource.

Conversely, when we experience personal joy, it can open our hearts even wider, allowing us to be more receptive and empathetic to the experiences of others. This joy creates a space within us where we can hold the suffering of others with genuine care and tenderness.

Moreover, joy and compassion both challenge us to be present, mindful, and fully engaged. Together, they guide us towards a life where authenticity, kindness, and peace are central.

Joy as a Spiritual Practice

For some, the world may seem dark at the moment, with negative news dominating the headlines. When I introduce mindfulness to my clients and others, I encourage them to observe their thoughts and allow them to pass without holding on. This practice brings about greater understanding. At its core, this is an active process.

Joy is not passive; it demands intention and effort to nurture.

Consider Philippians 4:4-7 which we read earlier:

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I want to draw our attention to two points from this text, rejoice and do not be anxious. Both of these attitudes are states of being. Both teach us two attitudes we can have in times of trouble; they are two sides of the same coin. Rejoice or be anxious. I am always careful when talking about these sort of things with my clients. Some of this can come across as dismissive. To move beyond these states of consciousness requires us to reflect on last week’s discussion around waging peace within ourselves. Taking small moments to cultivate peace is a process of becoming as we discussed last week.

In many spiritual and reflective traditions, people often talk about letting go of our ego—our sense of self that separates us from others. When we practice deeply, we realize that things aren’t just good or bad; they are simply experiences. We have feelings about these experiences, and then we label those feelings as emotions. These labels come from our culture and history. For instance, today we hear messages about how others might threaten our jobs or values, or that they are “woke” and somehow harming society. But these ideas only become real if we choose to believe and hold onto them.

Rejoicing or being anxious are postures we choose to take. Philippians challenges us as do other passages in the bible to pray to God, to rest in God, to trust in God.

Finding Joy in Mary

Protestants don’t take enough time to really appreciate Mary like our Catholic brothers and sisters do. I can say as a former Catholic, the love and adoration Catholics have of Mary is oft misunderstood, but if we can begin to look to Mary—not just as a quiet figure in the background of the Christmas story, but as the bearer of sacred joy and radical faith. In Luke 1:46-55, we find Mary’s Magnificat, a song that has echoed through the centuries. This is not merely a beautiful piece of poetry; it is a hymn of praise that rises from the deepest place of gratitude and humility, a testament to what happens when God’s light breaks into ordinary lives.

Picture from our first week the young Mary, visited by the angel, called into a story far bigger than herself. When she visits Elizabeth, the Holy Spirit confirms her calling, and Mary cannot hold back her praise: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Notice, church, how she does not begin with her own worthiness, but with God’s. She stands amazed—not at what she can do, but at what God has done through a humble servant. “He has looked with favor on the humble state of His servant,” she says. God has a pattern, friends, of lifting the lowly—of seeing those the world overlooks. That is the heart of the Gospel, from Genesis to Revelation.

Mary’s joy is not shallow happiness—it is rooted in God’s saving work. She calls God her Savior, recognizing that this blessing is not only for her, but for all who long for deliverance. Her joy is woven into the story of redemption, for she knows that God’s promises are greater than her circumstance.

Listen to her words: “The Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is His name.” Here is awe. Here is reverence. Here is a confession that all good gifts come from the hand of God. Mary does not celebrate her own strength, but the power and holiness of the Lord who acts in history and in our hearts.

And Mary’s praise does not end with her. She reaches back into the story of Israel, remembering God’s faithfulness: “His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation… to Abraham and his descendants forever.” Church, this is continuity—God’s covenant love that stretches from Abraham to Mary, from Mary to us.

But what truly stirs the soul is Mary’s proclamation of divine justice: “He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.” The world’s power is fleeting, but God’s justice overturns the proud and raises those whom others ignore. In Mary’s song, we hear the heartbeat of the Kingdom—a call to trust, to openness, to stand ready for God’s surprising grace.

The Advent Take Away

This Advent week 3, let us reflect on the point that Jesus and Mary gave us joy through their teachings, actions, and ultimately, through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Jesus’ story starts with vulnerability. Culturally, his birth is controversial for ancient times and even for some modern folks. Imaging today, you daughter, a teenager, suddenly pregnant with someone she calls an angel and a messenger of God. I am a girl dad and I can tell you this does not sit well with me. But God shows us that we must suspend our stereotypes and judgments and let God’s story unfold. In the life that follows, Jesus presents us with a message of love, forgiveness, and salvation that brought hope and joy to those who believed in him. Additionally, Jesus performed miracles, healed the sick, and brought comfort to the broken-hearted, bringing joy to those who witnessed his power and compassion.

Practically, this means that in our own lives, we are invited to embody these same qualities. Joy is not simply a fleeting feeling, but a conscious choice to embrace hope and gratitude regardless of our circumstances. When we follow Jesus’ example, we allow ourselves to experience both happiness and sorrow, trusting that God is present in every moment. By doing so, we become more open to the blessings around us and better equipped to share that joy with others. May we practice joy this week in the business of our lives and in the business of our holiday preparations, Amen.

Advent wreath prayer:

This week, we light the pink candle for joy, let us pray:

One: Our joy doesn’t come from our jobs, our family, our relationships, our finances, or our success. Our joy doesn’t come from what we have on earth or who we are with. Our joy is a gift. It is the gift that you gave us that first Christmas in Jesus Christ. Our joy is encompassed in our Savior, King Jesus. Flood our heart with joy this Advent season as we reflect on the good news of Jesus’ birth. In Jesus’ precious name we pray

All: Creator, sustainer and provider, you offer that same joy to us now if we know you and recognize Jesus as our Savior and Lord. You gave us a reason to celebrate when you gave us the unspeakable gift of Jesus Christ. You came to dwell among us. You went to Calvary’s cross for us. You overcame death and rose from the dead for us. You forgive our sins and give us eternal life when we believe in you. Amen.