The 12 Posts of Christmas, Day 3: Pursuing Joy

Inside: There is no better time for pursuing joy than the season of Advent. 

Waiting for Joy

I remember one particular Christmas from my young married days when our daughter was small. Mike worked long hours, more gone than home, and the demands of the dairy I ran with my dad kept me busy, too. Tensions were high, arguments far too often, and my plans for a Hallmark Christmas fell by the wayside. Seeing my disappointment, Mom took me aside to impart some wisdom. “Christmases come and go,” she said. “You’ll have some good ones and some bad ones, and lots in between.”

Was she ever right!

For most of my life I thought of joy as something you happened to catch–like a cold or a pop fly. If you randomly caught the feeling, lucky you.

Birthdays and Christmases your chances of finding joy were increased, though not guaranteed! A stroke of bad luck, like sickness or an argument might derail the elusive, fragile emotion before it took hold. Even favorite activities could be joyless with mood and temperament in the mix, and if you happened to clutch your joy tight enough to keep it from escaping, a day with a sad friend or angry relative could send it packing.

Pursuing Joy

I’d like to think I’ve grown up, put away childish things. When it comes to joy, I now realize it’s a choice. For years I saw that message on signs and T-shirts but never really understood it, much less practiced it. Nowadays I’m more proactive. I part the curtains, looking for joy. Search through cabinets. Turn over rocks. I’ve got a prescription I follow, one that serves me well: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8 NIV.)

What does that mean in a practical sense? It means directing my attention on things that bring joy. This Advent season I’ve been listening to Christmas music, watching Christmas movies. I’ve been giving to those favorite charities of mine, putting money in the bell ringer’s kettle. I’m writing cards and handing out candy bags to Amazon drivers when they drop off packages. I’m smiling at people and giving out encouraging words. I’m holding on to every scrap of good news I hear–mine or others.

But there are things I’m not doing. I’m not immersing myself in news media. I’m not watching negative programs, and I’m trying not to complain. Trying. I know this could be a bad year, if I embrace that. Instead, I choose joy. In fact, I’m chasing it down, tackling it to the ground like a football player in the playoffs.

I’m allowing myself to hope for better things, yet being grateful for the myriad of blessings right under my very own roof.

I’m fine tuning my ear, listening for those ancient angel tidings. I’m focusing on the real reason for the season, the babe in the manger, pursuing the joy that can only be found in Him.