Family Devotion and Activity :: Third Week of Advent :: Joy

“At the birth of God’s Son heaven and earth danced.


For heaven and earth embrace.” 


Richard Harries

Devotion:
Relight the candles of Hope and Light and now light today’s Advent candle, the candle of Joy.  The Greek word for joy is chara, which means “rejoicing, gladness, enjoyment or bliss.”  In many ways it means “to celebrate.”  The birth of a new baby or the first sight of a new born seems to have a mysterious way of bringing joy to all who are near.

The Gospel of Luke tells of how the angel told the shepherds that the birth of Jesus would be “good news of great joy for all people” (Luke 2:10).  Scripture actually says, that at this angelic proclamation, there appeared a multitude of heavenly hosts that began celebrating and praising God.

The birth of the Christ-child brought joy to earth, but the joy doesn’t stop there. When a person begins to follow in the ways of Christ with a surrendered life, Scripture says that all Heaven joins in and celebrates.  As we enter this holiday season, let’s celebrate, really celebrate Jesus - the fact that He came to earth and the truth that He desires an intimate relationship with us. He is still Emmanuel - God with us.

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for the joy that you bring.  Today we celebrate You.


Activity:
Make a list of friends and family members that you’ve not had contact with in a while. As a family, create a card for them. Perhaps each member of the family can contribute something unique - a photo, a picture drawn, a Bible verse, a memory, etc. Send these to them as a way of bringing joy to another during this Christmas season.