Joy – Week 3
I remember as a kid – probably a teen – beginning to understand the difference in happiness and joy. Even then, it wasn’t until adulthood when the difference really started to resonate.
The world puts so much emphasis on happiness. And it’s a wonderful feeling, so I get it. But the priority on happiness comes with something hollow and empty. Chasing happiness is similar to chasing a high. You’re fulfilled temporarily, but it’s quickly fleeting. That doesn’t mean we don’t cherish those moments of happiness, but if they were all we had to hold onto and hope in, we’d be a pretty sad society.
Joy is different. It’s deep-rooted and unmoving. It doesn’t change based on our circumstances or the trials we face. Even in dark seasons of life, we who hope in Jesus can experience joy. It’s based on an understanding and a deep knowledge of whom God is without considering our earthly circumstances as a measure. Because no matter our trials – God is with us. He became our Immanuel that first Christmas morning, and He remains that today.
He is with us no matter what trials we face and no matter how dark the path may seem. We know our future. We know the endgame. We know He has the victory and that we are on the winning side of death because of His great sacrifice.
During the third week of advent, we are reminded that Jesus came to be our Immanuel and to give joy to a sorrowful and helpless world.
I never care how early people put up their Christmas lights. Sometimes people need the cheer of Christmas to come early. We need the reminder of His coming to refresh our joy.
The word rejoice is written in the Bible over 200 times. It’s pretty evident God wants us to rejoice in Him often and throughout the entire year.
With that said, be extra intentional this year so that you don’t get so caught up in the festivities and activities and to-do lists and miss the moment to appreciate this season. Soak it in for a moment. Imagine how dark and helpless the world was before Jesus came. Consider the dramatic moment of his birth and how that permanently altered mankind. The victory that was won that day. The eternal joy that was given to the world because of it. And take time to rejoice with your family in His coming this year.
Here are a few verses to get you and your family talking about joy. But don’t stop there! If the conversation flows, dive deep into joy and what Scripture says about it.
“Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.” Luke 1:42-45 NLT
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4
“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.” John 15:9-12 NLT
Questions to consider:
What is Joy?
What is the difference in joy vs. happiness in our daily lives?
How can we as a family share our joy with others?
Why is joy so important this time of year?
Love – Week 4
The last scripture we reviewed for week 3 takes us directly into week number 4 of advent. Love.
Could there be a better topic for this season? After all, God’s gift to us was all done in love. I’m sometimes speechless when I consider how a large number of angels fell when they chose to follow Lucifer instead of God, and yet, He never tried to redeem them.
Then Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, and He came to them, grieved over what they’d done. God Himself made them clothes to cover their newly realized and shamed nakedness. They had to leave the garden. They had consequences, but he didn’t banish them from Himself forever. A plan immediately went into action to save mankind. What great love He had for the beings He’d created.
During this Christmas season, it can be so easy to get caught up in checking off the list of all the people we need to buy for and getting things done. This year I’m having more talks with my daughter who is now 3 and a half. When I asked her what she was most excited about for Christmas, she of course listed off some version of getting presents. I’m having to slow it down and remind her how important giving is. Further I’m explaining to her why we buy presents for people in the first place. It’s not just to get stuff for them or for ourselves. It’s to show love for them, a representation of the great love God has shown to us. This year, I want her focus to shift from herself and all that she wants to get and instead focus on loving those around her and giving. I want her to enjoy showing them how much she loves them.
It’s crucial that we take the Christmas season as an opportunity to remind our kids how to love the world around them.
Families can do this in other ways besides gift giving to family and friends. They can volunteer with churches or shelters. Participate in food and gift drives. Do an “adopt a family” or “adopt a child” where you buy for someone specific for Christmas. And tons more opportunities depending on your community. You can also do simple things, like baking cookies for your neighbor or inviting an older, single community member to family Christmas gatherings. Show your children that we don’t leave people out and that everyone deserves to feel loved. You can make a meal for a foster family and make sure their stockings will all be stuffed this year.
It is difficult to narrow down a few verses to study on love since there are SO MANY in scripture. However, we will highlight a few to consider and discuss as a family. Pick the ones that resonate the most with your family and continue a deeper discussion.
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:35-39
“We love because he first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” – 1 Peter 4:8
“Do everything in love.” – 1 Corinthians 16:14
“Above all, be loving. This ties everything together perfectly.” – Colossians 3:14
“And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” – 1 John 4:21
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
Questions to consider:
What is love?
How did God demonstrate His love for us through the birth of Jesus?
How can we show love to our family and friends this season?
What are some ways we can show love to strangers in our community?
From the crew at Fathom Family Foundation, we hope you have a wonderful, joyous Christmas celebrating our Savior!
Written by: Anna Wetherington. Anna lives with her husband and daughter in South Georgia.
