THE SET UP: The greatest Christmas of my life was in 1974. That is the year that I got the GI Joe Headquarters with a working spotlight. Ralphie may have thought that his Red Rider BB gun was the ultimate gift in A Christmas Story, but the GI Joe headquarters was what was up.
I remember looking at the large box with my name on it that was parked next to the tree in our living room. I studied from every angle, weighed it on our bathroom scale, and shook it multiple times, trying to ascertain if really was the headquarters. There was this feeling in the back of my mind that it might be something else and that my 6-year-old dreams were going to be crushed. I dared to dream that I soon would be planning and leading missions with my team assembled at the headquarters.
When the time finally came and I got to rip away the paper from the box, I experienced pure, unadulterated, second-grade joy. The thing that I had hoped, dreamed, and yes, prayed for, had happened. I was filled with joy.
Joy is one of the themes of Advent and is expressed throughout the story of Christ’s birth. John the Baptist was to be the forerunner that would announce the Messiah to the world, and his father was told about his birth, “He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth,” (Luke 1:14). When the angel announced Jesus’ birth to the shepherds, he told them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” (Luke 2:10).
As we anticipate Christ’s birth this Advent season, we can do so with joy. Not the temporary joy of receiving a GI Joe Headquarters (eventually, the spotlight stopped working, most of the equipment got lost, and it ended up in a garage sale), but the joy that remains and shows up when we need it most. A joy that is deeper than just being happy, joy that gives us a feeling of well-being and hope for the future.
PASSAGES TO READ: Luke 1:1-38
REFLECTION QUESTIONS:
What is the time in your life that you remember feeling the most joyful? Christmas as a kid? Your wedding? When your team won the Super Bowl?
Do you think there is a difference between joy and happiness? How would you describe that difference?
How can you experience joy this Advent/Christmas season?
PRAYER IDEA: “Jesus, thank you for making it possible for me to experience joy in my life. May I not let circumstances or situations steal my joy this Christmas. Help me to choose joy today, despite what I may feel. In your name, amen.”