The Second Week of Advent
Normally my husband and I zip through commercials when we’re watching something we’ve recorded, whether it’s a primetime drama or a football game. But for some reason, we have to stop and watch the remake of the Wendy’s “Where’s the beef?” commercial. It’s probably just 80s nostalgia and it will (hopefully) wear off soon. But when that question, “Where’s the beef?” and the theme for this Advent post, “joy,” crossed in my mind, I wondered, “Where’s the joy?”
Right now, as we get ready for the second week of Advent, where is the joy? It’s easy to look around and see a lot of not-joy, in the form of unemployment, or hurting families, or plain old loneliness. You can probably fill in the blank for that thing in your life that brings you not-joy today: illness, or work stress, or your to do list. It’s can be hard to look around and find joy.
But there is an answer to that question, “Where’s the joy?” Joy is on its way. Joy is coming soon.
During the first week of Advent, we heard about hope. We heard the angel Gabriel announcing to Mary that she would have a child. Not just any child, but the Son of God.
For the second week of Advent, which begins on Sunday, December 4, fast-forward nine months from the angel’s announcement. But before you do, gather your family or take a moment for yourself. Light last week’s candle in your Advent wreath (the Hope candle), and a second candle. The second candle is the Joy candle. Read aloud Luke 2:1-14.
Yes, we are jumping into the story of Jesus’ birth here in the second week of Advent. This season is about getting our hearts ready to receive God’s Son. In worship in many churches during Advent, the Bible readings focus on the prophecy that prepared people for a Messiah to come. The readings also cast a vision of the end times, when the Son of God will return in glory. While we wait for Jesus to come again and turn the world’s not-joy into joy once and for all, we are also waiting for December 25, 2011. And the Christmas story—this year and every year—is full of joy.
In this Advent series, we’re taking time to savor the story of God’s Son coming to us, from the angel Gabriel’s announcement to the visit from the Wise Men. I hope that with today’s reading from Luke 2 and the upcoming readings, you will get to know the characters better and find a way to experience their joy. I hope you will pass the story of Jesus’ birth on to your children and help them see how God is bringing joy into their lives as well.
“Where’s the joy?” Let’s take a look at how Mary and Joseph would answer that question. Go ahead and fast-forward those nine months after Gabriel makes the surprising announcement to Mary that she will become pregnant, but not by Joseph, even though he’s engaged to her, but by the Holy Spirit, who will cause her to bear the Son of God. When we pick up their story in Luke 2, the surprises just don’t stop.
Being nine months pregnant was hard enough, but Mary and Joseph weren’t even at home. They were traveling to Bethlehem, Joseph’s ancestors’ home, to be counted in the census. Traveling was hard enough, but there wasn’t a place for Mary and Joseph to stay, so she ended up giving birth in a stable and placing her newborn son in a manger.
The joy in this story begins with the baby’s cry as he enters the world and settles into his first humble home. It’s easy to picture Joseph and Mary quietly watching their son as loving (and exhausted) new parents. Then God turns the volume up. He sends an angel into the fields surrounding Bethlehem. Shepherds see the angel and are scared out of their sandals. But the angel tells them not to be afraid, because “I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” While the shepherds are absorbing this news, a flash mob of angels appears in the sky, shouting praises to God and proclaiming peace to people.
So far, the nativity tableau is still the infant’s immediate, human family: Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus, along with, of course, the animals in the stable. But the joyful news of his birth is starting to spread. The holy family won’t be alone for long. The Son of God is in their midst. He is the one who will grow up to go to the cross, to die, to be raised again, and to be the Savior of the world. His birth is joyful because he was born for you. To love you, to forgive you, to make you right with God, and to give you eternal life.
Where’s the joy? Here’s the joy. Right here, in the manger.
After reading the passage from Luke 2 and reflecting on it together, talk about any or all of these questions for a few minutes:
- Who are some people in your world who could use some joy? Who are people you know who are asking, “Where’s the joy?”
- When is a time that you’ve felt full of joy? How have you seen God at work in those joyful times?
- As you wait for the birth of Jesus, how do you want to the great joy of his arrival to make a difference in your life and in the lives of those you love?
If music helps you express joy, sing this verse of “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” together (it doesn’t have to be in tune!) “Emmanuel” is another name for Jesus. It means, “God is with us.” [ED. note: Links to a few different versions of the song in this post.]
O come, blest Dayspring, come and cheer our spirits by your advent here; Disperse the gloomy clouds of night, and death’s dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to you, O Israel.
At the end of your Advent wreath lighting, pray your own prayer or use this one, which is simple enough for children to read or repeat after you.
- Dear God, thank you for your Son, Jesus. Joseph and Mary were full of joy when he was born. The angels were, too. Prepare our hearts to welcome Jesus with joy. Help us get ready to share the joy of his birth with others. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen
Advent Everyday: Each night, at dinner or whenever you can fit it in, light the first and second candles of your wreath, the Hope and Joy candles. Have your children retell the story from Luke 2 with the characters in your nativity set (you might want to have a video camera handy for this one!) Find out some ways you can help bring joy to families in your area who are struggling: bring food to a food pantry, donate your gently used coats, or donate diapers or other items to a shelter for women and children. Make your kids a part of this service project. Talk with them about why you’re doing it. Serving others, especially vulnerable families like Joseph, Mary and the baby Jesus, helps us practice sharing the joy that the Christ child will bring to us and to the world.
Paige Evers is a Lutheran pastor, a mom to two young children, and the wife of a Lutheran pastor. So far, in her house, Mary and Joseph have ridden in a ship, flown in an airplane, and rested in a tower made of Legos.