Joy to the World

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The joy candle is lit for the third Sunday in Advent. 

I would normally have had this post written and posted by Friday morning, but I got a bit behind. And as I contemplated how to write about joy, I was struck by the almost inappropriateness of discussing joy today. In light of yesterday's horrific events, it is difficult to blog about having a heart full of joy at the celebration of Christ's birth and joy in anticipating eternal life with Him.

But perhaps that is exactly why we need to think about joy. The world we live in is a sick and dying world filled at times with unimaginable sorrow. In order to keep ourselves from sinking into a deep hole of despair we must, no matter how difficult, continue to look for joy. In order to find joy we must look to Christ. He helps us to find sense in the senseless, meaning in the midst of confusion and joy despite the sorrow.

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

John 16:33

Take Heart.

From a Wholehearted Mother

This was on Sally Clarkson's (co-writer with her husband Clay of one of my all-time favorite books on homeschooling, Educating the Wholehearted Child) Itakejoy blog today. A great reminder to look for joy in this dark and broken world.


"Itakejoy was begun because I wanted to celebrate life every day–to intentionally see God’s fingerprints, to find His joy, to feel His love in every moment, throughout the day. This world is the dark, broken place where Satan lurks and prowls like a lion to destroy, devastate, steal from the beauty our master craftsman displayed for our pleasure.
What better way to battle him and the darkness he spreads by choosing, this moment, to sing, dance, laugh, love and to cultivate a child heart.
Amidst piles of duties, burdens of tasks to be completed, one must fight to celebrate this joy and to glimpse His fleeting shadow all around us. Becoming like a child–taking time to wonder, to marvel at a rolling, hairy caterpillar, to really feel the hot sun on your face, to lie in the grass under the piercing light of a shooting star–all this requires a heart that is willing to celebrate and wants to praise and willing to stop in the moment to see.“I tell you the truth, unless you become like a child, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Mt. 18:3"