Sunday’s Blessing – 12/14/2025 – 3rd Sunday of Advent – Joy

Sunday’s  Blessing – 12/14/2025 – 3rd Sunday of Advent – Joy

In his book, Surprised by Joy, C. S. Lewis describes the various unexpected experiences bring joy into your life when you least expect it. The appearance of Messiah on that special night in Bethlehem was certainly unexpected … by everyone except Mary and Joseph. They had heard the truth about the One growing inside Mary’s womb, how He would “be great, and of His Kingdom there would be no end.” So there in the town of David, whose throne would once again be occupied by One sent from God, a new dispensation began which return God’s presence and dominion to the earth, and once again make it possible for the people to experience “joy unspeakable and full of glory.”

We saw last time that when hope is restored it makes room for peace. Peace, once fully embraced, allows joy to begin to bubble up. Just as Lewis described, in the middle of deep, dark despair, surrounded by hopelessness with no visible end in sight, joy can emerge, bringing light to illuminate the soul and expose the hope and peace brought by the great exchange which was made possible by Christ Jesus. He gave His life to buy us this joy, which will last forever.

I pray this Christmastime will be the season where you either discover this joy for the first time, or rediscover if it has faded with the pressing weight of life’s struggles. Give yourself room to hear these words again, or for the first time: Silent Night, Holy Night, all is calm, all is bright!

Today’s blessing:

May the Blessed Hope, the Prince of Peace, make room in your heart for Great Joy

So you may once again raise the corners of your mouth to smile

And realize that regardless of circumstances you have reason to rejoice

Which will allow the glory of God to shine through you to your world

May the joy of knowing Messiah has come reconstitute your entire being

Like the caterpillar transforming into the butterfly

So you can take flight into the fullness of all God has prepared for you

And find the purity of purpose which He place in you

May the joy of the Lord become effervescent and overflow

So others will be emersed in the wonderfulness of Christmastime

Which will allow them to find the Source of Joy

Christ Jesus, the Lord. Emmanuel, Mighty God, Prince of Peace