Joy. The third week of Advent focuses on Joy and Peace. Think of the Joy that were inside Mary and Joseph as they first gazed upon the face of their newborn baby Jesus. Every parent experiences this joy but it must have been multiplied for Mary and Joseph because of the Heavenly messages they had received and their expectations of the future.

Then, there were the shepherds from Luke 2: “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great Joy, which shall be to all people.” (vs. 10). “And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen,” (vs. 20). They were filled with Joy.

And, what about the Wise Men? First, they saw the star: “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great Joy. They came to the house where the child was and saw him with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. (Joyfully?) They opened their gifts and gave him treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. (Matthew 2:10-11).

Just picture these scenes; Mary and Joseph, by themselves, holding and smiling at their new baby. The bright, shining, glorious appearance of the angles to the shepherds, (Do you think the townspeople could see the light out in the fields?). And the Joy and happiness of Jesus and His family as well as the Wise Men at the presentation of the gifts. Was it like Christmas morning?

So, this week, let’s remember the JOY of Christmas and the wonderful gift we’ve been given. “Joy to the world, the Lord has come!” “Joyful, joyful we adore Thee.” “O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,” Amen! JOY!