A GREAT JOY

During the Christmas season we hear often of the good news of great joy that will be for all the people, and peace to men with whom God is pleased.  Familiar words yet rich in meaning if we take the time to pause and consider what God may be saying to each of us at this point in time.

As I look at our family’s Christmas card this year, many thoughts come to my mind and many feelings fill my heart. I see my husband Dave and I, married for almost thirty years, and our four adult children with their spouses, and two grandbabies on the way. The card is bordered with bright shining stars—bringing to mind the Light this Christmas season talks about. We each have a sincere and radiant smile on our face. The greeting reads: “Peace, Love and Joy” which would be an accurate description of our family right now. And just like that, I’m transported back to 1989 – thirty-four years ago–and another photograph. It is me as a single mom with my two young children—recently divorced, newly sober, pretty devasted, and fragile. Yet, by God’s amazing grace, my wounded heart was soft and open enough to ever so tentatively say yes to God’s invitation to go a different way, and in time, to give the ancient path of Jesus a try.  That yes has made all the difference. The small seed that has flourished into our big, international family.

During the Advent season we reflect on Mary’s fiat—her yes to God. She is a supreme model of obedience out of deep love and trust— saying yes again and again even though that meant much pain in her life in order for Jesus to bring about the salvation of many. I can also relate to another Biblical figure, Hannah, crying out to God for help: “I am a woman sorely troubled. Let your maidservant find favor in your eyes.”

Back to our Christmas greeting this year, I feel deep gratitude that God looked tenderly upon me all those years ago, and offered the gift, the great joy, that He offers to all of us—His transforming love. His grace allowed me to say yes.  Like the angel’s greeting to Mary, over the years God has encouraged me to Fear not—to let Him console me, slowly liberate me from all that holds me back from love, and guide me on His path of peace and joy. God has indeed become my strength and my song. He has shown me that I am more than my past sins and that He is much more! The fire of God’s Word can consume our sins and its brightness illumine our hearts. The Bible is truly His-story and our story. I can see my story unfold in passages like the following:

“The Lord rebuilds Jerusalem,
and gathers the dispersed of Israel,
healing the brokenhearted,
and binding up their wounds…
“He has strengthened the bars of your gates,
He has blessed the children within you.
He has established peace on your borders, He feeds you with the finest wheat.”
 Psalm 147:2-3;13-14

“I am the Lord your God,
who brought you up from the land of Egypt.
Open wide your mouth so I may fill it.” Psalm 81:11

A simple definition of the twelve-step recovery program could be:

Find God. Clean house. Help others.

We surrender, learn the spiritual discipline of waiting, and let God show us his saving power. As we grow richer ourselves, we can give richly to others. Our response to the other is a good gauge of our spiritual condition.

God’s gaze is always on us. He helps us endure courageously the misfortunes of life. Much of the spiritual life is learning to endure the average heat of the average day, and to wear both its banes and its blessing with a tempered heart. (Rule of Benedict—Joan Chittister’s reflections)

Toward the end of his life here on earth, Jesus encouraged his followers to remain in his love:

“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” John 15:11

Again, these may be familiar words but perhaps it would be worth your while to dive a bit deeper into their meaning. What is this great joy? Holy Scripture tells the story of a pearl of great price. Something we are willing to give up everything for. To hold dearer than all else. To keep and cherish with jealous care. Something to live for!

“And I will live for you, Lord: my descendants will serve you.” Psalm 22:31

May we consider that the greatest and most complete joy has its source in the Divine joy and in doing the commands of Jesus out of love for Him and others.

Behold!! Our God reigns!! The Word became flesh. Sing with joy to the Lord.

May God’s loving kindness embrace us now and forever. May we each radiate this great joy to the world in 2024.