Joy is a Fruit, Not a Feeling

This December, a series of daily Advent, devotional postings is running from December 1st to December 25^th. Journey beside Mary, the Mother of God, as she waits for the birth of Jesus.

STRENGTH

Scripture: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4).

Quote of the Day:

The Devil exults most when he can steal a man’s joy of spirit from him. He carries a powder with him to throw into any smallest possible chinks of our conscience, to soil the spotlessness of our mind and the purity of our life. But when spiritual joy fills our hearts, the Serpent pours out his deadly poison in vain (St. Francis of Assisi).

Song Suggestions:
“Magnificat,” by The ZOE Group (Acapella)
“You are My All in All,” by Nichole Nordeman

Questions:  Do I know what joy is? Have I asked the Holy Spirit for joy? Am I joyful as I wait?      

MIND

Imagine Mary and Elizabeth from yesterday’s meditation. Let’s recap:

“For at the moment, the sound of your greeting reached my ears,” Elizabeth continues, “the infant in my womb leaped for joy.” She laughs, keeping hold of one of Mary’s hands while the other rests on her own womb. “Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken to you by the Lord would be fulfilled.”

One thing swells in Mary’s womb and shoots through the entirety of her being: joy.

And it bubbles out of her.

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord; my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.” Mary opens her hands in exultation. “For He has looked upon His handmaid’s lowliness!” Mary’s eyes raise at the word “lowliness” as she tries to comprehend it!

Warmth exudes from Mary’s cheeks as she looks at Elizabeth. Mary says with no trace of pride but with pure honesty and humility, “Behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed. The Mighty One has done great things for me.” Placing both hands on her womb, she looks down. “And holy is His Name!”

Mary’s eyes dance back to Elizabeth, her lips curving like a baby’s first smile. “His mercy is from age to age to those who fear Him. He has shown might with His arm, dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.”

A laugh emerges from her mouth as she thinks of how little she truly is and how great the Son of God Himself is to come to her; to come to the world! “He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the lowly.” Mary’s eyelashes sweep over her cheeks as she marvels. “The hungry He has filled with good things; the rich He has sent away empty.”

Her own people and nation become a prominent focus of her mind. The One they have been waiting for is coming. “He has helped Israel His servant, remembering His mercy, according to His promise to our fathers!” Her whole life, Mary has heard and been taught the Scriptures!

Now that Word is flesh! “To Abraham and to his descendants forever!”

(Scripture Reference and Inspiration: Lk 1:46-55)

HEART

There are a total of four people rejoicing in this scene. Mary, of course. Elizabeth is another given. But also, John and Jesus! John himself leaps for joy at the sound of Mary’s greeting.

We know that the Holy Spirit is with Mary. It makes sense that the Spirit produces the fruit of joy in Mary. When the Holy Spirit comes to us, He also produces fruit in us, such as joy. Basically, a way for us to recognize the movement of God is the fruit that God produces.

St. Paul actually mentions the fruit of the Holy Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22).

As you wait, are you lacking joy?

It is entirely possible and probable as we are all human. What do we do to fix this? We praise God. It works as a cycle. We are joyful because we praise God. Then, we continue praising God because we are joyful. Praise is our way of expressing joy.

Still not feeling joyful after you praise God? That is normal too because joy is not a feeling. It is a fruit of the Spirit. Joy is an act of the will. Joy is the reception of love. Joy is the giving of thanks and praise. Joy is the acknowledgment of God’s goodness, which is always present. Joy is the delight in seeing God in others and the delight in seeing God in your lowly self.

SOUL

Come, Lord Jesus, come. With Mary, I praise you:

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
My spirit rejoices in God my Savior.
For He has looked upon His servant’s lowliness!
Behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.
The Mighty One has done great things for me,
And holy is His Name.
His mercy is from age to age to those who fear Him.
He has shown might with His arm,
Dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.
He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the lowly.
The hungry He has filled with good things;
The rich He has sent away empty.
He has helped Israel His servant remembering His mercy,
According to His promise to our fathers.
To Abraham and to his descendants forever.
 
Mary, teach me how to wait.