Where is the Joy?
10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. - Luke 2:10-11
By Gail Skurla
Many Decembers ago, I was driving my young son and daughter to school. They were sitting behind me in our minivan in their car seats, and in the rearview mirror I could see them whispering and smiling conspiratorially. "What's up?" I asked suspiciously. One of them said, "Do you know what we're going to ask Santa for, Mom?” (dramatic pause) “A BABY!"
They were thrilled with their plan to expand our family via chimney delivery, and I still laugh at this memory. It brings me a lot of joy.
Finding joy in the Advent season can be tricky. It’s such a mashup of consumerism, Santa, expectations and holiday to-do’s, it's hard to keep our eye on the prize: celebrating the birth of Jesus. It’s also a time of year when so many of us wrestle with stress, heartache, grief, loneliness or other heaviness. Where is the joy?
Despite being a lifelong Alaskan (or maybe because of that), I feel overwhelmed by winter's darkness more and more every year. To get through these dark months, I’ve been intentional in trying to find joy - and it really helps! I make little mental lists throughout the day of what makes me happy and grateful: a hot shower, a soft bed and my uncool but trusty minivan. Joy from delicious hot toast for “second breakfast” ever since Pastor Andy bought a toaster oven for the staff kitchen (I kid you not, this has been amazing). Joy from surprising a stranger at the grocery store with a smile. Joy in the silhouette of the Chugach range. Joy from witnessing daily the incredible passion for outreach and open arms by members of this church.
In the midst of these little joys, I try to remember bigger, deeper ones. Every Christmas, we are offered the gift of celebrating the birth of baby Jesus. Now, all babies are miracles, right? Watching a little life unfold day by day is one of humankind’s mysteries: who is this person, and who will they become? But with the birth of Jesus, we KNOW what we're getting. He’s a collective miracle for all of us, with the bonus of no sleepless nights or diapers! Every year we get to unwrap this amazing gift - a Messiah of hope, peace, joy and love. That makes me joyful in this season of darkness, with the promise of Christmas Day and a baby. And no chimney delivery from Santa is necessary.
Dear God, thank you for our joys in this world, no matter how big or small. Amen.
St. John member Gail Skurla is the church office manager.