Welcome to the Week 3 of Advent: Together.  Below, you will find art, music, and writing created by our YWAM San Diego/Baja staff around the theme of Joy.  This theme is the focus of the third week of Advent.  Interact with this collection as you feel led this week.  Join our YWAM staff and ministry community as we ponder the hope of this Advent season.

Joy

by Craig McClurg

When the angels appeared to the shepherds near Bethlehem, in the glory of God they announced, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news. It will bring 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 2:10-11 (NIRV) There is so much joy to experience as we remember the coming of our King!

I also think about the wonderful privilege it is to repeat the angel’s announcement of this great news. This is our joy as missionaries with YWAM and as believers to go everywhere and tell everyone that God is with us in the person of Jesus.

While joy rhymes with happiness, I think happiness is much more fickle and fleeting. It is my shallower response to my circumstances. If someone compliments me on my outfit, I’m happy. But if someone honks at me while I’m driving, happiness is gone instantly.

Joy is something deeper. Joy doesn’t depend on what’s going on in my life, it’s the deep result of God’s presence. God’s Spirit produces joy in us and makes joy for the world through us. It’s God’s fruit growing through our lives because we are connected to Him.

God so often produces joy in me when I’m with the ones I love. A good cup of coffee and a meaningful conversation with a friend can bring such joy. Jim Wilder writes in his book, The Other Half of Church, “Joy is relational. It is what we feel when we are with someone who is happy to be with us. Joy does not exist outside of a relationship.” This shows me that togetherness and joy are hand-in-hand.

And at the same time, I think of joy as a fragile thing. I think sometimes I’m afraid to fully give myself over to it. I don’t want to look like a fool — but more than that, I hesitate to let myself experience joy because I don’t want to lose it. I don’t want circumstances, difficulties, sicknesses or anything to steal it. Have you felt this? Have you, like me, withheld your expressions of joy because it hurts too much when it’s gone? Christmas can be hard when we are reminded of loss, of who’s not here, of what’s missing. And so it can be challenging to allow ourselves to experience joy if we are fearful of loss and pain. 

I’m reminded of the last supper. Jesus was telling the disciples that He was about to go away. It was a difficult moment. They were upset, and Jesus comforted them by saying, “Now it’s your time to be sad. But I will see you again. Then you will be full of joy — and no one can take it away!” (John 16:22, paraphrased)

And Jesus took this further. Inspired by the Holy Spirit, the author of Hebrews wrote, “…He paid no attention to the shame of the cross. He suffered there because of the joy he was looking forward to...” Hebrews 12:2 (NIRV) Here’s the relational thing again — Jesus endured torture because he knew that it would ensure our union with him. The suffering paled in comparison to the coming joy of all of us being able to be with him forever.  There’s something about joy and reunion, isn’t there?

As we anticipate remembering Christ coming into the world, we can allow ourselves to experience joy. And this is a foreshadowing, a little bit of a taste of the unspeakable joy we’ll experience when He comes again in Glory. We will see Him face-to-face, and I know I will be undone.

This week, enjoy a music video made by our staff and students made during the 2020 pandemic.

We hope you have enjoyed week 3 of, “Advent: Together”

We look forward to sharing more inspiration next week