Camy here! This past Sunday my worship team led the music for worship service. Our pastor talked about Joy, for Advent season, and one thing he asked our worship team to do is to have one of us share about Joy and then light the Advent candles.
One of my high school girls shared about Joy, and she did a great job. She talked about how she had recently lost her grandma and that one thing she realized was that God can give joy even in the midst of sadness and suffering.
Our pastor talked about that theme, too. That Jesus gives a joy that exists even in the midst of trials, as shown in James. Paul tells us to rejoice always and to always be filled with joy.
Not happiness—that’s different. Happiness is dependent on external things, but joy is dependent on the promise God has given to us that we will live with him forever, that this life is not all we have, because our sins have been wiped clean by the blood of Jesus.
So during this Christmas season, I pray Jesus will give you His joy, no matter where you are—if you are happy or sad, sick or in good health, unemployed or have a great job, alone or surrounded by people. Jesus is our joy.
Have a wonderful Christmas!
Camy Tang lives in San Jose, California. She previously worked in biology research, she is a staff worker for her church youth group, and she runs the Story Sensei critique service. Her humorous romance, Single Sashimi, and her romantic suspense, Deadly Intent, are both out now. She also gives away Christian fiction on her blog and her newsletter YahooGroup.
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