By Susan Scranton Naylor, World Church Secretary

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

As I contemplated today’s scripture, our world seems like an unfulfilled promise. War, poverty, hunger, distrust, and anger with others with no end in sight. Yet, this Advent, we sing as we’ve sung for lifetimes, “Joy to the World, the Lord is come!” What does that even mean?

Isaiah prophesied hundreds of years before the birth of Jesus that the Lord was coming. The wilderness and the dry land would be glad; the desert rejoice and blossom; and like the crocus the desert will blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and shouting. And when Jesus was born, the angels sang, the shepherds bowed down, and the rest of the world kept looking for a king.

Joy is complex and easy. It is more than happiness. Why do we ask, “Are you happy?” and not “Are you joyful?” Joy is intentional; it’s deeper. Joy is promised even through life’s most challenging times; we must live into and look for God’s promise of joy.

Listening to the news on the radio as I backed out of my driveway, I briefly noticed a pair of cardinals on my bird bath. The male was brilliant red in color while his female companion was more camouflaged, but I found myself stopping to observe the joy of their dance. Simple happiness, but true joy in the momentary recognition that God’s creation continues no matter our world circumstances.

Today, go look for joy—I promise you’ll find it!

Prayer Phrase

“I bring you good news that will cause great joy” (Luke 2:10).

Kindling the Light

Choose a quiet spot where you can sit comfortably. Place a candle or small light in front of you. Take a few slow breaths, letting the noise of the day settle. Light the candle. As you strike the match or switch on the light, say softly:
“I make room for joy to grow within me.
I make room for the light that connects me to others.
I make room for the Spirit of Christ.”
Pause for a few breaths, letting the glow of the light fill your awareness.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.