Joy

Joy is the focus this week in the Christian Advent calendar. Trying to define joy brings so many aspects of our lives to mind – the joy of being with loved ones, the joy of seeing beauty in nature, the joy of insight, and the joy of grace.

For many people, this year has lacked joy due to the death of a loved one, loss of a job or home and financial security, physical illness, political violence, the tragedy of gun violence and the fear of authoritarian actions. We all are charged with bringing comfort and moments of joy to people.

Here in my North Carolina community, churches, professionals and parents are taking action to help people experience joy. My mother’s home congregation used financial donations to purchase all the medical debt of our county residents. Another congregation established a winter overnight shelter for women living without a home. A therapist who works with children with special needs lost her job due to state Republican cuts to Medicaid funding. Fortunately for her family and her clients, she found a job with another agency so she can continue to help children struggling to overcome challenges. A mother of a high school student carried doughnuts to her son’s school as she tried to console students while they grieve the death of a student during a fight. These actions remind me of the words law professor and author Joyce White Vance shares in her writings that “we’re in this together.”

“Does it spark joy?” is the question cleaning consultant Marie Kondo advises us to ask when organizing our homes. I used that idea to remove myself from social media that only served to spark outrage rather than joy. For myself, learning something new sparks joy. The daily “Letters from an American” column by history professor and author Dr. Heather Cox Richardson helps me learn history and think about current events in context of our past. I find myself reading her letter every morning and feeling gratitude for her dedication in sharing knowledge and wisdom. Let’s find joy in seeing light amidst darkness as recommended by authors and historians Kristin Du Mez, Diana Butler Bass and Jemar Tisby in their podcast, Convocation Unscripted (December 5, 2025).

Some people can be uncomfortable when the unexpected happens. Knowing what to expect gives them joy. Author and journalist Krista Tippett, on the NPR program “Ted Radio Hour” shared her thoughts on being comfortable with the unknown. Rather than setting resolutions for actions in the coming year, ask yourself “what’s my New Year’s question?” Learn to recognize what you don’t know, be comfortable asking questions and find your joy in seeking answers. A friend shared her admiration of teenage mother Mary, whose faith gave her joy in a time of living with the unexpected. Mary’s joy teaches us to give thanks for moments in our lives when we can share grace, hope, peace, joy and love with one another.

Driving to an early medical appointment before sunrise, I glimpsed a streak of pale pink sky emerging along the dark blue horizon. I smiled with joy, remembering Psalm 30:5 – “…joy cometh in the morning…” We’re all living in the time of the unexpected and need to keep our minds and hearts open to finding joy.