Advent: Four Opportunities to Rejoice

Rejoice, Rejoice, the old hymn sings.

You fly from store to store, checking lists and spending more.

Rejoice, Rejoice, the Pastor declares.

But you are shopping the sales for clothes and housewares.

Rejoice, Rejoice, beat the depths of your heart.

But you’re feeling the pressure to add to cart!

While the poem may be silly, the sentiment rings true. The Holiday season is a conflict in consumerism and Christ’s birth. Each year the season begins sooner and the inflatable decorations are larger, and Mariah Carey’s voice seems to echo more loudly.

Though we know in our hearts that, “all we need for Christmas,” is Jesus, it can be hard to live that out in a modern world.

This year, might I recommend an advent focused on rejoicing? Advent is a four week season of waiting and hoping prior to the birth of Jesus. Many denominations celebrate it with the lighting of candles and reciting of scriptures. There are many advent calendars from chocolate related or gift related or even pet treat related!

I have even created advent guides over the years to help my family savor the season more intentionally.

As a woman, and by default most likely the leader of holiday festivities and traditions, how can you lean in to advent in a way that will cause you to rejoice?

I suggest you take the four Sundays of advent to contemplate what it truly means to rejoice by following these four guides:

WEEK ONE

“This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it,” (Psalm 118:24).

I love that this scripture gives us the reason for our rejoicing. We rejoice because God is sovereign. He has made our day. He has brought the sunshine, or perhaps the rain. His perfect, loving control makes us glad.

• Memorize the scripture. Write it down and place it somewhere prominent: bathroom mirror, kitchen sink, or car.
• Recite or read the scripture at the beginning of each day.
• Throughout your day, consider its truth no matter what occurs.
• Share the truth with a friend, family member or stranger.
• Do something that feels like rejoicing to you: a walk or hike in the wind, a warm cup of coffee on the porch, a bubble bath, dancing in the kitchen.
• Make a list of why you can rejoice this season.

WEEK TWO

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer,” (Romans 12:12).

This verse teaches us how to rejoice in the hard. It reminds us that we always have hope, that tribulation is temporary, and that prayer is a powerful tool. We can rejoice that the trials we face will not last and that we can give them all to Christ.

• Memorize: Write it down on a piece of paper and keep it in your pocket or purse.
• Recite or read the scripture and the end of each day.
• Ponder the scripture in your heart like Mary.
• Talk to a trusted friend about your struggles. Ask them to pray for or with you.
• Journal your prayers or pray out loud on your knees each day.
• Try to use the word “Rejoice,” out loud at least once each day.

WEEK THREE

“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with jewels,” (Isaiah 61:10).

This scripture drips with beauty and reminds us of the core reason for our rejoicing, which is our redemption. If you are ever struggling with your worth, this verse reminds you that the worthy blood of Christ has covered you and instead of being adorned by the blood of sacrifice, you may wear robes and jewels.

• Memorize or daily read the scripture.
• Tape the scripture to the mirror where you get ready each day and read it as you apply your makeup or brush your hair, or put on your jewelry.
• In your prayers, thank God for His salvation.
• Write down the definition of “exult”.
• Purchase a piece of jewelry as a gift for a friend or family member and attach this scripture to it.
• Dress up and have a celebration dinner where rejoicing is the theme, whether you rejoice through charcuteries, soups, or delivery pizza. Just make it fancy! Read this scripture as you light the candles to begin the meal.

WEEK FOUR

“Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart,” (Psalm 32:11).

This reminder brings to light our need to repent and seek righteousness. It also continues the theme of gratitude for Christ’s righteousness on us and spurs us on to good deeds!

• Memorize and practice saying to your spouse or children daily.
• Place a copy of this verse in your Bible or study book and read it whenever you pull it out.
• Spend some time searching your heart and asking God to reveal sin in your life. Repent and rejoice in your forgiveness.
• Choose a way to serve someone else. Participate in a group project, donate, bring someone a meal, etc. SHOUT your joy through service.
• Tell someone out loud about all you have been learning this advent season.

Continue the theme of rejoicing by doing a word search in your Bible and reading scripture with the words” rejoice”, “joy”, “take heart”, “glad”, or “exult”. At the end of your four weeks that diddy about shopping and hurry will be long gone from your mind and in its place will be rejoicing.

Happy Advent.