Issue link: http://denverseminary.uberflip.com/i/909943
DECEMBER 7 2 T he two hours I had to wait that Friday in December felt much longer. My son called, anxious, from his cell phone in his classroom. They were on lockdown, he said, because a shooting had happened at a nearby high school. At first I despaired over the atrocity. But soon I settled. I realized that he was safe, that each of my sons was safe, and I would have all three of them back that day. But I had to wait before I could see my family together again. While waiting, I was surprised to discover an unusual feeling settling into my heart: trembling joy. Joy is a bit unnatural. When we observe the state of our world and what we do to one another, it often seems as though there's no reason to feel joy. But to persevere through the darkness, we need something to guide us. That's what joy does. It never strays beyond our reach. I looked to the Scriptures asking, "Am I off? Is joy bigger and closer than I think?" Here is what I found: The joy of the Lord is our strength (Neh. 8:10). Joy is God's presence with us (Ps. 16:11). Joy is an apt answer (Pr. 15:23). Joy is justice done (Pr. 21:15). Joy is the perfection of beauty (Lam. 2:15). Joy is a gift from God (Eccl. 2:26). Joy is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22). The good news of great joy is strength, God's presence, truth, justice, beauty—all of it a gift from our triune God in the form of that Babe in the manger. Joy is a steady push toward trust in God. It doesn't always have to be happy, just thankful or hopeful. I waited two hours for my children to come home. Imagine waiting 400 silent years, as God's people did, for things to be made right, before His promise was fulfilled. When we finally receive the fulfillment of that promise, we feel great joy, just as the shepherds did. Even as our fears cause us to tremble, Christmas gives us a reason to feel joy. Debra Anderson, MA Mentoring Director "An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.'" —Luke 2:9-10 Trembling Joy