Joy.

Perhaps it’s fitting that this candle is a different color because, for many, it is the most fleeting of the Advent themes.

Many in Christianity have been taught that joy is a byproduct of being a Christian. We’ve been lead astray with the idea that Christians should always “smile through the pain,” or at least “overcome it quickly” because Jesus is our strength.

While I unequivocally believe that Jesus is a supporting presence of strength when we face the dark valleys of our lives, I don’t believe that joy is something we always find at every moment — even for Christians.

Some days we just can’t smile. Some days we can’t laugh. Some days we can’t sing a song of joy.

The Advent message, though, is that the joy God finds in us does not fade on those days. That joy is with us, even when we don’t feel it.

In our journey to find joy, may we know that it is ok when we don’t find it. May we know that we’re not less because we can’t bring ourselves to rejoice, that our faith is not less, either.

May we remember that God’s joy over our very existence does not wane no matter what. May we remember that the baby in the manger comes even when we can’t see the joy that drives his existence — joy that IS because we ARE.

“Joy to the world” is not so much a command, as it is a promise. The joy of God, for us, has been made visible in Christ.

Good tidings of great joy have come to all people…

Know that YOU are worthy of it.