Sunday, December 16, 2012

Joy to the World?



  Today at church, we lit the pink candle on the Advent wreath. For those who are familiar with the practice, you have experienced Joy with me as we await the coming King this year. For those of you who don't know what any of that means, the pink candle signifies the Joy of Christmas as Christians all over the world together celebrate the Joy of the coming of the Savior- the first time.

  But as I look at the world today and bring to mind the events of the past year, there is little joy. The year 2012 seems to be one of foreboding. Many things have and are happening that are, not only unusual, but seemingly disasterous in nature. People see these and it seems have come to realize that the world is changing and the fact is- they are not joyful about them at all, but fearful of them. What is perceived is a world falling apart, spiralling downwards, with nothing meaning anything it did before, and if it did, it was only what you thought it meant, or I, or they, or whomever. There is no longer absolute truth to them- whatever that was...

  People are not stupid. Maybe I am for having blind faith, and don't tell my pastor I said that, but from what I see, they now hold little as "truth" in their lives. They believe nothing or no one. Little joy can come of that and as the year comes to an end with the predicted "end of the world as we know it", many have given up hope. With that comes little joy.

  So, there is little joy. Personally, I have experienced it this year in spades. I have had little joy in my life for a long time now. On this earth, my wife is the only person who gives me joy, peace and love. But, I am reminded of the love of God for me, the only real truth in my life- the Word of God, and the love of He who came the first time. So, there is great Joy in my heart from that as I await the Savior when He comes this year.

  Maybe now we know what it feels like when everything has been torn down around us and out of necessity must rely on the fabled God of Christianity. I hope many return to Him and many come to Him before the end. Joy to the world, the Lord is come, let earth receive her King!