Joy?

Rosemary, now dressed in her Christmas finery, proclaims it: Joy.

The stocking holders on my mantle do too: Joy.

As I added these decorative touches to my house,  I remembered a Christmas when I found that word joy repulsive. Every time I saw it, I felt as if someone had slapped my face. Joy, really? Will I ever really feel joy again?

I deeply missed my mother who had died the year before. I felt overwhelmed by just getting through the day, a symptom of depression. I could not read Christmas cards. Frankly, I just wanted to join my mother in heaven. No more tears, no more aching heart or body, no more challenging people and situations.

Over the next few years, God brought a host of women into my life, Storm Sisters, who helped me learn to embrace joy again. I will always thank God for these women, but I will also always thank God for that time of grief and pain. Because I lived it, I now recognize and understand it on the faces of others.

As I decorated with JOY last week, I prayed for the women I know who may find that word repulsive this year. A friend grieving the death of her mother. A friend grieving the death of her marriage. A friend grieving the death of a dream. A friend grieving the death of a spouse.

May they, as I did, discover Storm Sisters. And may they have a glimpse within their season of grief and pain of the loving hand of God, who in His great love for humanity sent us a savior—Jesus.

My friend Linda Washington says it well in a piece she wrote for her church. Let me close by leaving you with her encouraging words.

Picture in your minds a light erupting in the darkness, a light that shreds the dark shroud of sorrow. A joyous image. But for many people, finding joy in the holiday season can be challenging, especially when weeping has endured for many nights. But in this season of Advent, we rejoice in the Savior whose coming brings healing and light. As we read in Zephaniah 3:14-17:

Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! For the Lord will remove his hand of judgment and will disperse the armies of your enemy. And the Lord himself, the King of Israel, will live among you! At last your troubles will be over, and you will never again fear disaster. On that day the announcement to Jerusalem will be, “Cheer up, Zion! Don’t be afraid! For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.

Lord, the birth of Your Son reminds us that sin no longer has victory over us. We rejoice in the hope of His coming and the new life He provides. Amen.