Embracing Wonder: A 5-Week Advent Devotional From Matthew WestSample

Sunday, December 15: Light the Candle of Joy

We throw the word joy around all the time, but I think we need to take a moment to think about what it means when we sing about it in Christmas carols or even when we read about it in Scripture. We use joy for so many different things. But when we talk about joy during the Christmas season, what exactly are we talking about?

As we enter the third week of Advent, many churches light a pink candle, known as the “shepherd candle.” This candle is meant to represent the joy that comes through Jesus’ birth and the salvation He offers us. This third week of celebration focuses on Philippians 4:4–5, where the apostle Paul tells his readers, “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.” Paul says joy is found in the truth that God is near us! And when we focus our hearts on Him, that joy tends to spread like the flames of a candlelight Christmas service.

The angel brought “good news of great joy” (Luke 2:10 ESV), but when is the last time you really experienced that for yourself? The reality for so many people is that Christmas is anything but a time of joy. But no matter where we go or where we’ve been this year, we are invited to come home to joy, to where we belong, to the place where our hearts turn in adoration and worship of the Savior who delights in us. Even if this Christmas season finds you sick, grieving, or just having a tough time, joy isn’t off limits to you. In fact, maybe right now, as you read these words, it's the very moment to allow the joy of Jesus to be your strength. Joy was born for all creation in that little manger in the remote village of Bethlehem. And joy is there for us when we, just as the shepherds and wise men did, fix our gaze on Immanuel, God with us.

Respond: This week, reflect on where you can find joy in your own life. How can you let the joy of Jesus be your strength and share that joy with others around you?

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for being near, and for offering me true, unchangeable joy through your promise of salvation. Please show me how to come home to the true meaning of joy this Christmas season.