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I am including readings you can do, practices, and actions from our The Will to Dream Advent theme.
Advent Three: Joy. From Illustrated Ministries
This third week of Advent is all about joy. Joy in Advent isn’t just about
feeling cheerful or celebrating with presents—it’s about the kind of joy
that grows when people feel seen, loved, and blessed. Joy isn’t always
simple. Sometimes joy shows up right alongside feelings of worry,
questions, or even loneliness. That’s why the story of Mary and Elizabeth
is so important. Their meeting shows us that joy grows stronger when
it is shared. Elizabeth’s blessing helped Mary feel brave and seen, and
together their voices became part of God’s dream for a better world.
Mary felt so many emotions knowing that she would have a baby: excited,
confused, lonely. And this wasn’t just any baby; it was the Son of God! The
angel said her relative Elizabeth was also pregnant. Maybe Elizabeth could
help Mary understand it all.
Both women had unusual pregnancies. Mary was very young. Elizabeth
was very old. For both of them, the news was quite surprising. Both women
learned of their unexpected pregnancies from an angel, a messenger
from God. Both were going to give birth to change-makers. Elizabeth
would give birth to John the Baptist, who would prepare people for God’s
kin(g)dom. Mary would give birth to Jesus, who would show the people
what life could be like in God’s kin(g)dom. Yes, Elizabeth could help Mary
make sense of it all because Elizabeth was experiencing it as well.
As soon as Elizabeth saw Mary, the baby in Elizabeth’s belly leapt for joy.
Elizabeth called Mary blessed. Mary felt new emotions: wonder, hope, and
joy.
Mary knew her little baby would change the world. A new way of being
would come through him. The world could be more like God imagined—a
world where those who thought they were great would lose their power,
but those who were humble would be treated as great. The hungry would
be fi lled with good food, and those in need would receive help and mercy
from God. Yes, this baby would change the world.
Mary sang for joy, trusting that the goodness of God that her people had
experienced for generations would continue through her son. Through
him, all nations of the world would be blessed. And Elizabeth was right
there beside her, helping Mary understand, make sense, and rejoice—
because joy grows deeper when it is shared.
Elizabeth was the first to bless Mary. How can our words bring joy to someone today?
Elizabeth helped Mary feel brave. Who helps you feel brave or joyful? How could you be that kind of helper for someone else?
Joyful God, when excitement buzzes in our bones and gratitude bursts from our hearts, may we remember the power of joy. Even when it feels impossible, may we boldly share joy with others, proclaiming goodness is real and new things are possible.
Amen.
Theme song for The Will to Dream
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