The Wisdom of Advent – Learning to Wait
Week 3: Joy.
A Prayer for Comfort and Joy
Our life this Advent may not be overflowing with Christmas joy. Our waiting may weigh heavy on our hearts, even as we hope for the joy of Christmas to wipe away the hard feelings of waiting. But denying the reality of what is true for us now won’t bring us the joy we long for.
As we try to distract ourselves from our reality with the pretty, shiny trappings of Christmas that inevitably started appearing in November, give us gentle reminders that this isn’t what Advent is all about. Let us see moments of space in our busy days when we could do something simple that would bring us comfort or joy.
Help us see the thread of Your love that runs through our lives. It doesn’t mean that our lives are always easy (because You don’t promise that) but seeing the joy we’ve had, along with the struggles, can help us persevere in faith in our current struggles.
Remind us that we can be Your messenger to bring “tidings of comfort and joy” to someone else; this might just be what we need to recapture joy. And help us remember that when joy feels far away, we can at least strive to bring comfort into our lives and be reminded of God’s presence and love.
Amen.
Falling Up After 50 
thanks for the prayer! I think God did us a wonderful favor by sending His son to be among us as completely human so that we could look to emulate him knowing that what he did is possible. And Jesus prayed, prayed, and prayed some more. And trusted his Father. Through prayer and trust, as you often remind us, we will receive comfort and joy!
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And I’m all about the comfort and joy this year!
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I love the way you tied in this week’s messages into this prayer. I spent yesterday singing (to myself) the Tidings of Comfort and Joy song. I believe I will be doing the same today!
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We’re both on the same musical wavelength. I’ve been doing the same!
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