As we move further into the Advent season, I’ve been thinking about something that comes up every year around this time. We see the word joy everywhere—on cards, in songs, on holiday sweaters, on Christmas decorations—but for many people, joy feels harder to experience than it looks. And that’s okay to admit.
Let's be honest, we often confuse joy with happiness. Happiness rises and falls with our circumstances. But joy—real, biblical joy—is different. Joy isn’t rooted in what’s happening around you. Joy is rooted in Who is with you.
We’re continuing our Advent series, Unexpected, by looking at An Unexpected Joy from Luke 2. We’re going to see how God chose to reveal the birth of Jesus not to kings or religious leaders, but to ordinary shepherds working the night shift. And in that moment, joy illuminated a dark field and changed everything.
Here’s the good news for us: that same joy is still available today.
Not when life becomes perfect.
Not when everything finally settles down.
But right now—because Jesus is with us right now.
If you’re weary, joy is for you.
If you’re anxious, joy is for you.
If this season feels heavier than you hoped, joy is for you.
