“…for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy.”
On December 1st, my husband and I sat in a dark cinema for the first time in two and a half years. The Chosen Christmas Special opened that night to a sold-out audience, and we got to our seats early. Eagerly anticipating this event, we were not disappointed. We left the theater with hearts full of joy, great joy.
Joy—
Such a small word for a concept so magnificent, so essential to our faith. Joy permeates the Nativity story, threads through the holy narrative like a subtle pattern in a tapestry. It manifests in the most unforeseen and unlikely places. Let’s visit some of those places this week.
Abba Father, you are our help! Our stronghold and our safe place. You prepare us for the Advent of Immanuel—you prepare us for You to be among us. I ask we would surrender to your will, and when we do, I pray we would stand under the pinions of your wings and SING with joy. LOUD. Father, we ask for this fruit of the Spirit to be manifest in us. We ask that you give us hope so joy may grow. Please give us your peace that joy might expand. Give us your love that our joy might be complete. Thank you for what you will reveal to us this week. We are grateful.
In the joy-giving name of Jesus. Amen.