Candles on the Kitchen Table
Howard and I grew up Methodist, so come December an Advent wreath is a treasured part of our Christmas tradition. Advent in Latin means “coming.” This anticipation of the birth of Jesus is illustrated through the lighting of a candle each week leading up to Christmas. The meaning of the candles in the Advent wreath varies from church to church and family to family but the focus is the same which is to prepare for the arrival of Jesus.
In our family we have a wreath bought roughly 20 years ago. The greenery has seen better days, the pine cones are smashed, the fake red berries are showing through to the white Styrofoam, not to mention the less than cute gold leaves, but we continue to us it faithfully each year. We have looked for a replacement and even bought a couple but they were too big or just not right for us. In the wreath we have 3 purple candles, 1 pink candle and a huge white candle in the center. For a long time the white candle, or Jesus candle, was the one from our wedding. It was tall and stately and was used as the unity candle from our wedding. One year it got put in the wrong tub and went up to the attic and didn’t make it through our Texas summer. This advent wreath sits on our kitchen table and we light it at dinner each night. It’s not a formal serious occasion with readings. Oftentimes its fun and probably a little bit silly. But nonetheless is a focus for us and gives us pause to remember the season of Advent.
The first week we light the Joy candle. Our children used to fight about who would get to light the candle, but our son seems to have taken the duty on completely the last couple years. Perhaps he feels more qualified because of his title of Boy Scout. We have things we say when each candle is lit. When the Joy candle is lit it has us all singing out “Joy, Joy, Joy!” Everyone has to say it even if it comes out a soft grumble or loud and boisterous at the top of their lungs.
The many looks of Joy
One evening I was reminded that joy comes in different ways just like the different ways we say Joy as we gather for dinner and light the Advent wreath. Sometimes we happily sing “Joy, Joy, Joy!” but other times if we are stressed and busy we end up saying it super fast in a business like tone. Sometimes we are distracted or other times we draw out the Joys and sing loud and proud. Believe it or not, sometimes their are people in the family that don’t want to play along and don’t want to say it until they are prodded. It is a silly thing we do but it has a way of breaking us down and disarming us and making us vulnerable as we sit down for dinner together. We don’t necessarily do a formal advent reading but sometimes we have a question that we discuss over dinner. Its kept very casual and conversational around our dinner table and spiritual conversation flows beside and through talk of school, work and other worldly concerns.
Joy is sometimes a sing at the top of your lungs mountain top moment. Other times its a still quiet moment between you and God. No matter how it comes, God expects us to rejoice with Him in our daily lives. Where in our daily lives have we expressed joy today?
Why Joy?
Joy is a word we hear so often that you would think we could recognize it better. We so easily confuse happiness and joy and have a way of losing the joy we seem to all be constantly searching for. Perhaps if we were still and looked at our present situation and counted our blessings and smiles for each day we would find contentment and that would lead to joy
God commands us to rejoice. Joy is not optional. Oftentimes we see joy as a garnish on the plate and not an essential part of the meal. Again and again in scripture we are told to have joy in all things. In Philippians 4:4 it is quite clear when to have joy. ” Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Oftentimes we see joy as a garnish on the plate and not an essential part of the meal
With Jesus in our life we have access to a constant river of joy. So even in our sorrow we can rejoice. Joy is the fitting response to God our Creator who loves us. We must realize that our joy will not be perfect in this life. There will be struggles and heartache. We will face anxiety and fears. There will be good days and bad days. Through it all we are called to trust our Lord and be assured that a joy is coming that can not be subdued.
We are joyful because of Jesus
In our family, we choose to light JOY as the first candle of Advent because of our excitement that begins this season. We are reminded that it is with great joy and anticipation we look forward to the birthday of Jesus. Just as the angels announced the great and wondrous news to the shepherds so our family is ready to shout for joy that we love and serve our Lord, Jesus Christ. Our lives even on a bad day are still good because of Jesus in our lives and that is the reason for our JOY!!
In a world that is hurting, broken, stressed, unhappy, and hopeless we as Christians are needed more than ever to share the Joy of Jesus! Our witness and testimony to the joy in our lives casts out the darkness and truly our light can shine brightly to those around us! We as Christians have seen a great Light. We have a joy that cannot come from worldly things.
“the people who sat in darkness have seen a great light. And for those who lived in the land where death casts its shadow, a light has shined.”
Matthew 4:16
New Living Translation
May the joy of the season influence everything you say and do as you prepare for the coming of Jesus! May you look at the world with a refreshed attitude and see it through the eyes of Jesus and may the situations and people you encounter bring you joy! In a world that is hurting because it does not acknowledge God you can be the one to live differently. The joy in your life is noticed and gives others reason to look again at Jesus and see Him perhaps for the very first time who He really is! Come Lord Jesus!
Joy! Joy! Joy!