Advent Week #3: JOY
Prepare: Take a moment to center yourself for communion with God. You may do so by signifying the presence of the Spirit with you, singing a hymn, saying a prayer, or simply sitting in silence before God.
Candle: Light two purple candles and the pink Candle, the candle of Joy.
Read: Luke 1:57-80
Reflection: The journey to Bethlehem can’t happen in one day. The trail is difficult and having time to rest provides an opportunity for God to speak. That’s God’s vision for sabbath, and that’s God’s vision whenever we quiet ourselves to hear His voice.
Zechariah, the father of John, had been quiet for nine months. In his angelic encounter in the temple, he had been silenced because of his inability to believe what God was going to do through him and Elizabeth. Perhaps the silence gave him rest.
After resting his voice for months, the moment came to name his son, but he couldn’t make a sound. He could only write, “His name is John.” As he inked the last character in the name, his mouth opened and his tongue experienced a new kind of freedom, words of praise filled the air around him.
In that moment, Luke says, “Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied.” His prophecy was a song of God’s deliverance, redemption, rescue, and words for his son John. He was filled with joy!
As you ponder this story, consider the following reflections:
Have you ever experienced a time of being silenced? It may have happened in a relationship, at work, or been a physical issue.
Imagine how Zechariah’s experience in the temple impacted the next nine months of his life. Do you think the joy he experienced after naming his son was only in that moment or do you think it had been building since getting the news from the angel? How can joy sustain us in our journey?
Why is joy one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit? How can taking time for rest increase joy?
Prayer: Come, Holy Spirit. I ask you to teach me how to be sustained by joy, so that I can be content in all circumstances (Philippians 4:10-13). I pray that the joy of the Lord would be my strength. I pray to have your fruit of joy characterize my heart and attitude.
Prayers for the Week:
Monday: Come, Holy Spirit. Open the eyes of my heart so that I may know you better (Ephesians 1:17-18).
Tuesday: Come, Holy Spirit. Show me my sin, how it has impacted my life, and kept me away from you (John 16:8).
Wednesday: Come, Holy Spirit. Lead me into truth and wisdom so that I may know what to do and how to do it (John 14:26).
Thursday: Come, Holy Spirit. Free me from the things that hold me captive (2 Corinthians 3:17).
Friday: Come, Holy Spirit. Transform me so my character is shaped by your fruit (Galatians 5:22-25).
Saturday: Come, Holy Spirit. Use the gifts you’ve given me to serve others (1 Corinthians 12:4-11) and to empower me to be your witness (Acts 1:8).
*Adapted from Common Ground Christian Church - Indianapolis, IN.
** Artwork by: Chris Magee