Hope and prophecy have created a divine tension, a longing that has yet to be fulfilled. Until now. Or has it?
Today is the third Sunday of Advent. Traditionally it is the day we light the only pink candle on the Advent wreath—the Shepherds Candle. The Shepherds Candle emphasizes the joy proclaimed, joy discovered, and joy shared.
I remember a movie from a few years back, a comedy with Tommy Lee Jones in it. It was called “Man of the House”. In it Tommy Lee Jones plays a no nonsense Texas Ranger. Somber and straight faced he rarely smiles. the best scene in the whole movie for me was when he is told by the cheer coach to put on a happy face, his response “this is my happy faaaaaccceeee” no smile, still as straight forward no nonsense as before.
My children once bought me a tee shirt with a cat face on it with the line “this is my happy face”. Sometimes our facial expression does not reflect the internal joy that we are living in. I have been told countless times I don’t look happy, even when I am full of great joy.
Joy. What does real joy look like? Is it a particular happy face? Is it a chorus or song? What is this great joy that the shepherds received? Can I still have joy if my situation or circumstances have not changed? Does joy mean happiness?
Happiness is an emotion, Joy is something much deeper. Happiness one can find in a moment of time. Joy takes root deep in your soul and changes you.
C.S. Lewis courted and married Joy Davidman in 1956. Lewis’ book “Surprised by Joy” was published in 1955. For most the book was thought to be about his wife to be, Joy Davidson. Only after the death of his wife and the publication of “A Grief Observed” did many readers make the “Joy” connection between his wife and the book. Surprised by Joy was not about Lewis’ spouse. It’s a spiritual biography about the nature of joy, which C.S. Lewis’ accounts as having played a leading role in his conversion from atheism to Christianity. In his journey, Lewis took the concept of joy well beyond any emotional happiness to capture and explain his inner longings for God. Inner longings that each one of us experience. He concluded that connection to God and a glimpse of what is eternal exceeded everything else in life.
I think that helps us understand how this moment in Advent, when the angel appears and makes proclamation, has such far reaching ramifications:
Luke 2 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And [cbehold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:
14 “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill[e toward men!”
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made [fwidely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
I think in that moment, and in every moment the gospel goes forth that Holy Spirit touches a longing deep inside, a longing for the eternal God and his touch. That’s how C.S. Lewis pictured it, that’s how I picture it too. In the moment of the Angels proclamation the Shepherds longing to seek and find the Messiah was activated. And find him they did! And find him you can too. Joy unspeakable and full of glory. Joy in a savior come to die so that you might live. Joy.
1 Peter 1 7b-9 “at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen, you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.”
A pray today longing stirs in you to find the savior, and find joy.