On the third Sunday of Advent

I Chronicles 16:23-27
Sing to the Lord, all the earth. Tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples.
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be revered above all gods.

For all the gods of the peoples are idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before him; strength and joy are in his place.

Do you think of God as joyful?

We are taught to honor God by saying how big or mighty or glorious God is. We are taught to thank God for answered prayers or provision given.

You may think of God as huge, powerful, creative, and giving. But what about joyful? Full of joy?

If you have ever made anything that gave you pleasure, that felt like an accomplishment, chances are you found joy while doing it. Your little creation was infused with the joy you experienced in its making.

God en-joys the work of His hands. Just like you, God infuses God’s creations with joy.

And: everything good comes from God’s hands. Including you. God enjoys you.

With all that enjoying going on, God is surely joyful Himself.

No wonder God is the source of our deepest joy. Joy simply overflows from God into us.

Today, find some small (or gigantic!) joy, remembering that this joy-filled world is continually remade by a joy-filled God.