The weeks leading up to and following Christmas are all about joy, right? If we were to believe the rampant commercialization of Christmas, we would believe that this season is all about joy- mostly the joy of spending money and receiving gifts, then returning those gifts for what you really want. Even McDonald's has started marketing their premium coffee beverages as "My Comfort and Joy" (stealing from "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen," my favorite Christmas carol).
This would a recent development in Christianity, if indeed the shift to "a season of joy" is Christian (it probably isn't). Most of our history, this season has emphasized the "not yet" part of God's plan. That is, this is a time to recognize that God's plan is not completely finished yet. While Jesus did say "It is finished" on the cross, there is another "It is finished" to come (Revelation 21:6). Advent, or the season before Christmas, is when we recognize this fact. And anyone who is looking at an empty chair this season already knows that longing. Many of us, however, eat and spend our way into oblivion, trying not to think about such things.
Jesus embodied a couple things. One is the joy of the Lord- "For the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God" (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus also embodied suffering and longing (Hebrews 2:14-18). For a long time, we have separated those things. Joy and suffering do not stand by one another in popular understanding. Yet in Jesus, there was a certain level of joy that existed in the midst of suffering.
Sometime, sit down and read the parables. Many of them are quite bizarre, and I think Jesus winks a little during them. Parables often poke fun at the powerful and lift up crazy situations. These parables often tell profound truths with a little humor attached to them. I also notice that people in helping professions can have the best sense of humor. Sit down and talk with a funeral director sometime. Great people with tremendous joy, despite being surrounded by suffering. For some of us, joy seems like an optional extra. For people who stand with others in times of suffering, joy is a survival trait. That kind of joy, I believe, can only come from God (after all, joy is one of the many fruits of the Spirit). And as it comes from the Spirit, I believe it comes in unexpected times when we stretch our faith and capacity. So as we creep (or rush) closer to Christmas, I would encourage you to stretch out a little and find the unexpected joy of Jesus. Here's to joy!
I just spent the last part of my shift talking with a colleague, friend who is exactly my age and suffering since February with Lou Gehrig's disease or ALS. He has gradually lost the ability to walk, and use his fingers. He is hospitalized now, but hopefully will go home this week. I asked him how his heart was. He said that he has all the emotions- Mad, Sad and Glad. Mad is a waste of precious time. Sad is grief which comes and goes. But he choses to focus on Glad because it's the best way to spend his last days. He admitted that his "glad" is not happy, but a deep seated joy which sustains him because of his love of God. Faced with his suffering, he chooses joy. And his faith is a blessing to me. Please pray for my friend Mike and his dear family.
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