Joy can be the most elusive of the Advent themes. It’s the one we feel the most pressure to manufacture. We vaguely hope that if we get the decorations right, buy the perfect gift, and attend the right parties, joy will finally show up.
But what if joy isn’t something we create, but something that spills over?
In Romans 15, Paul connects joy directly to something surprising: unity. He urges the church to “welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you.” He then points to Jesus as the “Root of Jesse,” the fulfillment of ancient promises that brings hope not just to insiders, but to the whole world.
Paul suggests that joy is a communal experience that happens when we stop gatekeeping God’s grace and start welcoming others into it. Furthermore, Paul prays that God would fill us with joy and peace in believing.
Joy doesn’t come from perfect circumstances; it comes from actively trusting—believing right now—that the promises of God are true for you, your Jesus family at The Table, and the entire community! When we trust Him, the Holy Spirit causes hope to ABOUND – to overflow or spill out.
If you feel joyless this week, don’t try to manufacture it. Instead, look for a way to welcome someone else, and lean into the promises of God. You might find your heart overflowing before you know it.
Download our 2025 Advent Devotional HERE