Happy “Joy” week in Advent. Joy seems to be a fleeting feeling in a world beset with COVID and its seemingly endless variants.
A means to focus on Joy
Okay, so maybe things are not going as well as we’d like. How do we experience more joy in our lives even though life is hard right now? Perhaps this is a naive question, but I don’t think so. That’s because we live in a season devoted to hope, to the expectation of a miracle that includes all of us, if we choose to be a part…the birth of Jesus.
Recall Luke’s narration – The angels announcing “good news of great joy” to the shepherds
“And in that region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear. And the angel said to them, ‘Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.’”
Luke 2:8-12
This passage shouts joy. We have a Savior! and you too can see him. Your station in life does not matter. Jesus is here, now, to bring light to a dark world, to bring hope, peace, and love.
I’m offering a few versions of one of my favorite Christmas hymns, “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.” I listen to this song all year long. It’s on my playlist for when I’m writing, and I almost always stop for a moment to listen to it because it fills my heart with joy and peace. This Celebration of Holiday Music by my beloved Detroit Symphony Orchestra includes an instrumental version.
Here is a trio sung by The Priests:
And here is a lovely choral edition by The Edinburgh Singers with a wonderful oboe accompaniment.
These give you different feels for the music/lyrics and hopefully at least one resonates with you. YouTube has lots of versions that you can explore…
(Note I changed “Man’s” to “Our” in the lyrics below to be more inclusive and gender-neutral.)
Try the ancient prayer practice of Lectio Divina – the living word
Lectio Divina involves 5 stages: reading, praying, meditating, contemplating, and action. You can listen to the music while engaging in Lectio Divina, if it does not distract you. (If you do this in a group, have a different person read each time.)
- Lectio (I read) Read the passage from Luke aloud slowly even if you are alone. Then read the lyrics below. Repeat the process until a word or phrase catches your attention.
- Oratio (I pray) Have a loving conversation with God.
- Meditatio (I meditate) Think deeply on a spiritual aspect of the text and your word/phrase.
- Contemplatio (I contemplate) Rest quietly in God’s presence.
- Agero (I act) Go and do likewise.
Lyrics to Jesu, Joy of Our Desiring
by Johann Sebastian Bach
1. Jesu, Joy of Our Desiring
Holy wisdom, love most bright
2. Drawn by Thee our souls aspiring
Soar to uncreated light
3. Word of God, our flesh that fashioned.
With the fire of life impassioned.
Striving still to truth unknown
Soaring, dying round Thy throne
4. Through the way where hope is guiding,
Hark, what peaceful music rings.
5. Where the flock in Thee confiding,
Drink of joy from deathless springs.
6. Theirs is beauty’s fairest pleasure,
Theirs is wisdom’s holiest treasure.
Thou dost ever lead Thine own,
In the love of joys unknown.
Blessings on your joyous journey!
