Joy

Joy is a major theme of the Christmas story, and for good reason—Mary rejoices with her cousin Elizabeth as she carries Jesus in her womb, angels announce the birth of Jesus as "good news of great joy" to the shepherds outside Bethlehem, and the Magi rejoice "exceedingly with great joy" as they approach the place of Jesus' birth. And yet even in the joy, there is much sorrow and pain and loss—Simeon speaks of a sword piercing even Mary's soul, Mary and Joseph take Jesus and flee from Herod as refugees to Egypt, and Herod takes the life of innocent children in Bethlehem after they depart. Today, too, both at Christmas and beyond, our joy is often mixed with sorrow, loss, and pain. This week, we will consider how true Christian joy does not dim in the face of pain, but rather strengthens and encourages us in the midst of it, as we encounter our one true source of joy, the Lord himself.