Dear Faith Family,
The energy of Advent's destination is beginning to fill the air. Can you feel the excitement? I certainly can. But that's primarily because Cohen and Lily's ability to keep their hands off the gifts awaiting them is waning!
From poking and shaking to prodding for clues and even attempts at brokering deals for (at least!) one pre-Christmas morning unwrapping, the energy of anticipating the countdown's end is filling up and spilling out in the Pace house! The closer we get to "the Day," the harder it is to pass by the lighted tree without stopping to check, comment on, or haggle for the thing that awaits them! The presence of presents has that energetic effect, doesn't it? And here is the thing: the energy is not all self-oriented.
Believe it or not, the twins don't just want what is marked for them; they want everyone who has a gift under the tree to end their waiting, too. Whether cousins or grandparents or even ole mom and dad, they want everyone in their little world in on the end! Almost instinctually, they know that only when everyone joins in will their excitement be satisfied, completely theirs to enjoy.
Of course, this energy empowering the excitement that arrives in full view on Christmas morning has a name, doesn't it? Joy!
Joy is an energy as much as an attitude. And as a living energy, it cannot be contained. Joy quite naturally spills over and out. Yet its outflow is not merely a sloshing of extra emotion and good wishes onto whoever's around. No, the energy of joy is more like a drive to completeness, to fullness. Joy is energy incomplete until others are brought into it, until what we have is shared by all.
Joy is the energy that moves us to share what is ours for the joy of others. At least, that's how we discovered joy being described on Sunday in Isaiah's vision, the joy of the Lord spilling over into His people's salvation, and His people's joy filling the land, drawing others into what is theirs—life with God now and forever. And, if he had any doubt what compelled the sharing for our salvation, we're reminded of joy's energy in the action of Jesus:
...Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,
who for the joy set before him endured the cross...
and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
(Hebrews 12:2)
Joy as energy incomplete until others are brought into it, is also the testimony of John the beloved:
That which was from the beginning...
the life made manifest...
which we have seen and heard
we proclaim also to you,
so that you to may have fellowship with us;
and indeed our fellowship is with the Father
and with his Son Jesus Christ.
And we are writing these things
so that our joy may be complete.
(1 John 1:3-4)
Which makes sense after all, considering what John learned and was brought into by Jesus:
Abide in me, and I in you...
These things I have spoken to you,
that my joy may be in you,
and that your joy may be full.
(John 15:4, 11)
As we said on Sunday, all prophetic visions, including visions of joy, compel us to action. Yet the question, 'How can my joy be complete?' is not satisfied from any wish list. Your, my, joy is complete only when we share, invite others into, our joy, into our life with Jesus.
I bring you good news of great joy
that will be for all people.
For unto you is born…
a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.
(Luke 2:10-11)
With all the giving we are doing this season, would you pray with me for the courage and opportunity to complete our joy?
In so doing, may you be adorned with joy and gladness, my friends.
Love you, faith family! Happy Advent & Merry Christmas!