Third Sunday in Advent (2022)

This Sunday - the Pink Candle. Gaudete Sunday. The Joy Candle. 

"Joy" is a word heard frequently in our environment. "Find your joy" or "does this bring you joy?" or "spark joy" are catchphrases many say. I often wonder, what does that word mean. Joy. Dictionary says - a feeling of great happiness or pleasure; however, I can't help but wonder if ... somewhere back in its history, if that word didn't originally come from the word 'rejoice'. And what does that mean? To feel or show great joy or delight. The Greek root for both? Chara: this is the word to describe a feeling of inner gladness or delight. 

So, this is the same as happiness, right? Joy and happiness the same thing? It would appear ... not. It seems we use the two interchangeably, but that, in fact, is not the case. Brene Brown, she of professorship, lecturer, author, podcast host, and researcher on many interesting topics, of which leadership, courage, and ... joy ... are some of her foci. What she has found is that joy is more internal, whereas happiness is more external and circumstantial. Her definition, based on her research is "an intense feeling of deep spiritual connection, pleasure, and appreciation as contrasted with happiness which she defines as "feeling pleasure often related to immediate environment or current circumstances. 

Add to this mixture - something called gratitude. There's a relationship between the two - between gratitude and joy. What do you think comes first? joy which leads to gratitude or does gratitude lead to joy? You might be surprised - gratitude leads to joy. Yup. Brene Brown discovered that in our moments of gratitude, in those conscious awareness of those things in our life that we recognize and are grateful for, that is what gets us 'out of ourselves' and brings forth joy. Genuine, inner, beyond the crap-of-the-world joy. 

As I think on this, I can't help but ponder how much weight we put on being happy, on someone bringing that happiness into our life. That, for many, is the goal - to be happy. And sure, it can come in as many forms as there are people (have you ever sat and reflected exactly what would make you happy in your life?) ... but, as Brown says, happiness comes from external things. Our environment, what is around us, what are our current circumstances. Things on the outside. And face it - right now, there's not much in many environments that make one happy! Happiness come from things like - money, family, job, vacations, going out to dinner and a good movie. But joy ... joy is the internal by-product of something different. when we are grateful for those little blessings the day brings to us, when we notice things that we could easily pass by, when we look up and say 'thank you' for my life, then something sparks within. 

In recent years, realization of what gratitude can do to life has become known. This is not just some random little thing, a catchphrase to use when someone does something nice for you. If it was all that was to it, we'd be doing things for the sole purpose of others doing nice things for us. Not really the thing, I think. I remember a friend once was so negative; nothing went well for this person. Always complaining and miserable. I challenged this person to start looking for the good in the day instead of the negative, and sharing with me 3-5 things every day. It took a while, but slowly a change began to take place. It is easy to find benefits gratitude provides; from a scientific point of view, there is evidence that the simple conscious acknowledgment of points of gratitude in your life can (1) open the door to more relationships; (2) improve your physical health; (3) improve your psychological health; (4) enhance your ability to be empathetic and reduce impatience and aggression; (4) help you sleep better; (5) improve your self-esteem; (6) increase your mental strength; (7) help with optimism and giving to others; (8) help us become more effective managers; (9) improve our decision-making; (10) reduce our blood pressure and help us find meaning in life ... among many many more things!

But here's the thing - if you take this into the realm of spirituality, into a relationship with your Higher Power, with God ... something completely different begins to happen. A discovery of humility, of realizing connections on a spiritual level that brings our place in this world into a space of acceptance, of connection to the Divine. This could be the number one spiritual discipline to develop mindfulness and compassion for others and the world around you. There is an awe that can wash over you. And, maybe encounters with those experiences that are beyond words. This is what develops a relationship with God; this is what assures us that we are never alone. That God is truly working for us and not silent. When one pauses and reflects, the 'fingerprints' of God on our lives are distinct. That tiny, quiet voice is unmistakable and clear. 

So … I’m writing about gratitude when the topic is joy … what’s that about? I know many think that when you’re joyful, its easy to have gratitude. But … back to the beginning … is that joy? Or is that happiness? I would suggest that because joy is something different, something internal, there is ample support to say that when you are first grateful, then you will experience joy. It’s the other way around. So, in my discussion of gratitude, that is the key to joy. If you want more joy in your life, be grateful for those little things that come your way, and I promise you - your internal joy will expand. Regardless of your life’s circumstances. 

I encourage you to begin the practice of gratitude - to keep a list. Each night at the end of the day, reflect back on the path you took. Look at the obvious and the not-so-obvious. Where are there little moments that 'gifted' you with something you can be thankful for? What about witnessing something of beauty? Maybe even someone smiled at you? Gratitude comes from receiving something that you weren't expecting or didn't 'earn' - that's God moving into your neighbourhood, just for you. And, the more one becomes conscious and aware of this, the more we can realize that life isn't by chance. That there is design and purpose for God's good. And our notice of this is our participation with it. And with God. Nothing is by chance but it is our choice to notice it or not. And as you practice this gratitude, you will also feel a joy beyond compare. Those who are without gratitude are often without joy. 

I think it's time to get a gratitude journal going again. Then, when I look back, maybe I can also hear God's voice, hinting at what my next steps should be. And I will know because of the joy I will feel. 

Immanuel - God be with me! Let us rejoice and be glad! And may I be forever thankful!