Advent 2023: “How does a weary world rejoice?”

Joy is often a companion to many other emotions. We can feel joy in addition to feeling many other things at once: grief, anticipation, anxiety, excitement, disappointment, exhaustion. Perhaps many of us live with the myth that joy is not something we deserve — or that it is wholly out of reach. But our joy is rooted in the truth that we belong to God. Can you tether yourself to that deep truth? You deserve to feel joy — fully. The world needs your joy, even if you are weary. Our joy is better when it is shared.

This theme, of course, alludes to a line in the familiar Christmas hymn, “O Holy Night,” which has an interesting history. The song was originally written by a French poet who was an atheist, and the music was supplied by a Jewish composer. The hymn was later translated in English by an American Unitarian minister. In the 1800s, it became a popular hymn for Christian abolitionists due to its justice-focused language in verse 3: “Truly He taught us to love one another, His law is love, and His gospel is peace. Chains shall He break, for the slave is our brother, and in His name, all oppression shall cease…” Like Mary’s song, the hymn reminds us that justice and joy belong together. Sometimes, our joy is an act of resistance.

And so, this Advent, we will hold space for our weariness and our joy., We will seek a “thrill of hope” in our hurting world. We will welcome joy — even and especially if, like the prophet Isaiah, we cry out for comfort (Isaiah 40:1). in this weary world, may we find many ways to rejoice.

This study series focuses on the stories told in Luke 1-3 and begins with weariness and moves through themes of connection, amazement, hope, hospitality, and ritual; we conclude by focusing on belatedness. We will engage in a four-session bible study and time of reflection on Wednesdays, December 6, 13, 20 and 27 at noon on Zoom.