Are you so busy that you might forget to enjoy this season of Advent? Slow down, take a deep breath, relax, and consider another aspect of “God’s Love Story.”
March 18, 1941…on this date, my father wrote to his parents about a recent visit with Joan. “We had such a good time this weekend, and I love Joan more and more every minute that I am with her – so much so that at times it almost hurts.” They were busy shopping and preparing for a wedding during a period of wartime rationing and shortages, but their joy was still very evident. As they walked up 5th Avenue after looking at settings for rings at Tiffany’s, Dad wrote, “We happened to meet Jerry Beekman and his mother, to whom I introduced Joanie…His mother afterwards remarked that she had never seen anyone look so obviously happy as we did!”
True happiness simply bubbles over and can’t be suppressed. One of my favorite verses is Zephaniah 3:17. “For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
There are several Hebrew terms for “joy” in that verse but the one I love is, “he will rejoice over you.” Picture a father holding on to the arms of his young son and spinning the child around in circles in the air. The child whoops with joy and the father laughs out loud. That joy bubbles over and infects all who watch them. As John the Baptist said of Jesus, “That joy, that perfect joy, is now mine.”
Let others see your joy today as you walk with Jesus.
