This season, members of the Discipleship Team bring you a weekly Advent reflection. We pray that you will find your Advent journey meaningful and filled with promise.
Dear Leaders,
As we consider joy in this Advent season, like the Psalmist, I know that first and foremost, my joy is in God and God's joy is in me. The Psalmist gives voice to a plea, seeking joy in the midst of trial is prayer; "Sustain me with a willing spirit.".
In this time, of all times, we reflect and consider in this season of Advent waiting;
What sustains me?
What opens my heart and creates a willing spirit within me?
What sustains joy in the midst of trial?
Where are you, O God, in these darkest of days as we anticipate the light?
As we reflect, we name all that is within us that is sustaining. All that brings joy.
I know joy, because I recognize that I am not in this alone.
I know joy because in the presence of death, life persists.
I know joy because healing is possible in the aftermath of disease.
I know joy because in a season that comes yet again, ritual and traditions sustain me.
I know joy because God's love is for all time and especially for these times.
Our prayer for you this week is that you know God's sustaining love and that you have joy. We pray that; you will share your joy with others, that your joy will create an open heart and that an open heart will seek justice. We pray that joy will overflow in the simple moments of grace you experience this season and in your daily living long beyond Advent and Christmas. And may your joy, in the manner of our prophet and brother, healer and teacher, Jesus be returned to you and sustain you, now and in the days to come, just as the Psalmist long ago prayed.
In partnership,
Karen Ziel
Minister of Faith Formation and Leadership
From the United Church of Christ Advent Toolkit
In this third week of Advent, we reflect on joy and remember the joy of Christmases past even as we anticipate the joy of Christmas to come. Here are gifts from our sisters and brothers in the United Church of Christ.
