Mid-week Devotional:
Week of December 16, 2024
This week is the third week of the season of Advent within the church. The third candle on the Advent wreath represents joy.
Growing up I wasn’t always a joyful person to be around especially during my teenage years. There were moments when I was known to be grumpy and one who easily cried. My bedroom was upstairs and I was known to stomp up the stairs as loud as I possibly could especially when I didn’t get my way. There were times when Mom would tell me to come back down and then go back upstairs the right way; without stomping.
We lived in Minnesota and during the winter months our winter coats, snow pants, and winter boots were located in the basement. I remember one winter morning being especially grumpy at life for having to go out in the cold to do sheep chores. I was feeling sorry for myself and crying tears of self-pity. After getting dressed to go outside and putting my boots on, I stomped as hard as I could on the wooden steps as I came up from the basement.
I listened for my mother’s voice telling me to go back down the steps and come back up quietly. But I didn’t hear her calling to me. Instead, I heard my father singing.
My father was tone deaf and the only other times I had heard him sing was in church. I remember turning and looking at him as he sat on the steps in the porch getting dressed to go outside to feed cows. He had a huge smile on his face as he sang these words; “Let a smile be your umbrella on a rainy, rainy day…” I remember stopping in front of my father and laughing. I remember telling my father three very important words; “I am sorry.”
I treasure that moment in my heart for it was a moment of change within my young life. It was a moment of realization that there was no reason for being grumpy. There was no reason for beginning the day for myself and everyone else in my family with tears and the sound of stomping feet.
The words of my earthly father reminded me that joy is present all around me if I open myself up to God’s love and grace. Where there once was self-pity there was laughter and joy.
God’s word as written in the Old Testament book of Psalms, Psalm 98:4-6 instructs each of us that we are to be people who share joy with all those we meet through our words and our actions.
Hear the word of God.
“4 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises. 5 Sing praises to the LORD with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody. 6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the LORD.”
This is God’s Word for God’s people. Thanks be to God. AMEN.
Each of us, you and I, are to “make a joyful noise… to sing praises to the LORD…” for God is always present, 24-7.
In this season of Advent there is joy in the celebration of the gift of life through the birth of Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection, and His promise of coming again in the fulness of time.
Today and in the days ahead may you and I hold God’s holy word close to our heart and soul and may they be words by which you and I live out our daily lives.
May you and I respond with kindness to all those in need.
May you and I smile and greet all those we meet with words of love and grace.
May you and I live each day filled with joy, hope, and peace.
Peace be with you.
AMEN.