Advent Week 3: Finding Joy

"Do not be afraid, for I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people" (Luke 2:10, NIV)

During this third week of Advent, we light the candle of Joy. Our candle this week is not the same color as all the others; it's pink. It stands out because it's not just about preparation; it's also deeply entwined with the here-and-now.

Joy! Such a surprising, countercultural emotion. What is it, exactly? ? Unlike happiness, which often comes and goes based on external factors, joy is rooted in something deeper. It is the assurance that God is with us—Emmanuel. It is the recognition that, even when life is hard, the light of Christ has come and will come again, bringing restoration, redemption, and peace.

Joy in Jesus' Coming: The Song of Mary

In the biblical text, Joy follows the work of God as the world prepared for Jesus to come. The Gospel of Luke also highlights the joy of women who found themselves included in God’s redemptive story. Elizabeth, who had long been barren, rejoiced when she conceived John the Baptist, declaring, “The Lord has done this for me…” (Luke 1:25, NIV). Her joy was matched by Mary, whose song of praise, the Magnificat, proclaimed:

“My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant… He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.” (Luke 1:46-52, NIV).

So much joy! So much space for rejoicing! Mary’s joy sprang from knowing she was part of something far greater than herself. She, a young woman of humble means, was included in God’s plan to bring salvation to the world. Her song reflects the transformative joy that comes from being seen, known, and used by God.

How have you felt that God knows you, sees you, and has included you in His work in the world? What does that look like, feel like, taste like? How can you take those sensations and let them follow and guide you today?

Joy in Jesus' Coming: The Shepards

Ever wondered how you are included in God's story? You're certainly not the only one. Sometimes I know I feel like I have a hard time seeing God at work. Yet I also think that it's often the small things that truly matter. Maybe working with God is more than being in a position of power and influence; maybe the most fiercly joyful thing we can do is, simply and profoundly, to choose to be joyful in our position right now.

The Gospel story of the shepherds perfectly illustrates this sort of  joy. In Luke 2:8-11, we read how ordinary shepherds, considered lowly and insignificant by society, were the first to receive the good news of Christ’s birth:

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.’” (Luke 2:8-11, NIV).

The shepherds were not the elite or powerful, yet God chose them to be part of the story. Their inclusion is a profound reminder that joy is for everyone—regardless of status, background, or circumstance. Even stinky nomadic sheepy people are included in the gospel! And not only that, they were so excited and overjoyed that they hurried to Bethlehem to witness the miracle and returned, glorifying and praising God (Luke 2:20).

Hope, Joy, Salvation: Finding the Promises of Advent

Jesus’ birth brought joy to the world because it ushered in hope and salvation. The joy experienced by the shepherds and the women of Luke’s Gospel serves as a powerful reminder that God’s story includes all of us. No one is too insignificant, overlooked, or broken for His love and purpose.

This Advent season, let us reflect on the joy we have in Christ. Perhaps it means taking a moment each day to give thanks, even for small blessings. Maybe it’s spending time in prayer, asking God to renew our joy when it feels distant. Or it could be sharing joy with others—through acts of kindness, words of encouragement, or by simply being present with someone who needs to know they are not alone. 

As we continue to plod on towards Christmas, may we embrace the joy that comes from knowing Jesus. And may we carry that joy into a world that so desperately needs it—a light that points others to the hope we have in Christ.