🎄 A December Mini-Series: Advent of Joy

Focusing on the traditional Advent themes: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love

"Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning." -- Psalm 30:5

🎶 When Joy and Sadness Sing Together

It’s strange that at this time of year, a person can experience both joy and sadness. In fact, I would guess more people feel that way than don’t. I always feel a deep longing for warmth and happiness, and sometimes tears, when I hear the song, “In the Bleak Midwinter,” for which the lyrics by Christina Georgina Rossetti (c. 1872) are as follows:

1 In the bleak midwinter
frosty wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron,
water like a stone:
snow had fallen,
snow on snow, snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter,
long ago.

❄️ “In the Bleak Midwinter” — Longing for Warmth and Hope

Those words don’t sound very joyful, do they? Even the music seems dreary with its cool, somewhat desolate tone. While the first snow starts out pretty as it wafts down in such a peaceful mode, it doesn’t take long for us to wish it was melting away for spring’s much nicer days. Today, the wind blows hard, and it makes me shudder with each gust. Earth feels like a cold, hard stone, and I long for a fire and a warm place to be. That calls for HOPE.

2 Our God, heaven cannot hold him,
nor earth sustain;
heaven and earth shall flee away
when he comes to reign:
in the bleak midwinter
a stable place sufficed
the Lord God Almighty,
Jesus Christ.

🌟 A Savior Born in Humility

Suddenly, something changes. God has sent his Son to this cold earth in a manner unexpected by all those who wait for a Savior, at least all except those who prophesied about His coming. Still, no one expects the Son of God to come in such a basic, lowly way - from a young, unknown girl who is unwed at the time, and the baby born in a cave and laid in a manger meant for food for animals. Yet, this is how it happens. That calls for PATIENCE.

3 Enough for him whom cherubim
worship night and day,
a breastful of milk
and a mangerful of hay:
enough for him
whom angels fall down before,
the ox and ass and camel
which adore.

❤️ Why Jesus Came — Love in Human Form

Why does God need to come to earth as Jesus the Son? He comes to save each and every person, because we are all sinners. We have done things that are wrong: disobeying the God who created us; being selfish, impure, and hostile; putting people and things above God; lying, stealing, and failing to do good to others. We have strayed from the right path, God’s Word, and we have refused to turn away from our bad ways to follow God instead. Jesus comes to model the Godly expectations for us and to show that He understands what it’s like to live like a human. That IS LOVE.

4 Angels and archangels
may have gathered there,
cherubim and seraphim
thronged the air,
but only his mother,
in her maiden bliss,
worshiped the Beloved
with a kiss.

👼 Joy Announced to the Lowly

Even the angels know the importance of His coming to earth, and they joyfully gather to share the news, again with the lowliest of people - the shepherds. Mary, Jesus’s mother, understands the significance of His virgin birth. She is humble, and she is willing to be available to God for whatever He asks of her. That IS TRUST.

5 What can I give him,
poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd,
I would bring a lamb,
if I were a wise man
I would do my part,
yet what I can I give him,
give my heart.

🎁 What Can I Give Him?

That night in Bethlehem, long ago, many came to worship Jesus, having heard from the shepherds and many others that their long-awaited Savior had been born. What joy must have filled the air! Can you imagine being there? Have you given Jesus your heart and asked Him to be Lord of your life? This is only the beginning. And Easter is coming… just wait to see what He has prepared for us. This will bring PEACE.

🎶 Joy in God’s Promises

Even in our sorrow and longing at this time of year, there is music to be found in God’s promises to be with us (Emmanuel). Joy to the World!

"But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.'" -- Luke 2:10

📚 More Hope-Filled Resources, Just for You

Check out my website at https://marygracejohnsonauthor.com and download the “Seven Affirmations of Hope” for free.

I also have two collaborative books available on Amazon:
Hope for the Holidays: Stories and Traditions for a Peaceful Season (2024) and the new 365-day devotional, A Year of Hope (2025).

Soon to be released on Amazon!

And the Sun Came Up: A True Story of Grief and Hope, my picture book, and an accompanying hope activity journal, Sunlight for the Soul: A Hope Journal for Kids Walking Through Sadness (ages 4-10). I will be looking for launch team members to participate in this book release where there will be giveaways, behind-the-scenes updates, and early access to the book!