Thursday: Unveiling Joy in the Gift of Presence
“Joy blooms in the sacred garden of the present moment. In the tender embrace of now, we discover the fullest expression of joy, a gift waiting to be unwrapped in the sanctuary of each Advent day.”
— Jeremi Richardson.
Once upon a time, a promise long foretold was finally fulfilled in the quiet town of Bethlehem. The air was filled with anticipation, and as Mary cradled her newborn Son, the echo of the angels’ proclamation reverberated — a promise of joy wrapped in the gift of Emmanuel, God with us.
As word spread throughout the town, people gathered in joyful celebration. Rich, poor, young, old, gathered in the presence of Jesus, the embodiment of joy, a new chapter in the relationship between God and humanity unfolded.
Amid the hustle and bustle of the season, the people understood that the true essence of joy lay in the gift of presence-one of the most vulnerable forms of worship. It was not in the pu-rum-pum-pum’s of a drum or the gold, frankincense, and myrrh (although I am sure those we much appreciated); their most genuine joy lay in being present.
Amid that evening’s festivities, imperfections were embraced. The stable, a humble setting for the birth of the Savior, became a symbol of joy in life’s messiness. True joy, they realized, transcended the pursuit of perfection and flourished in the imperfect moments they shared.
Inspired by the shepherds and the Magi, who followed a guiding star to discover the source of joy, the people embarked on their journeys. They sought joy in the grandeur of life and the simplicity of sacred moments. Each step brought them closer to the manger, where the most actual form of joy awaited.
The birth of Christ was not just a personal event; it was a communal experience, a shared melody that connected hearts in a symphony of joy, and as the people unwrapped the gift of Advent, they opened their hearts to the joy found in the presence of God. And so that first Christmas, in the name of Emmanuel, the people prayed, showed up, and worshiped, weaving their unique joyful tales into the grand tapestry of the Christmas story.
