In which we talk about Joy – Advent 3
This week we keep talking about Advent and providing resources to get into the themes of the season. This week: Joy!
Lectionary Overview
Staying with the Revised Common Lectionary, we see the obvious calls to celebration, rejoicing, and joy. Yet, there is an underlying awareness of hardship, suffering, and release from oppressors.
"Sing aloud...rejoice…with joy you will draw water... I will deal with all your oppressors at that time. And I will save the lame and gather the outcast, and I will change their shame into praise and renown in all the earth. At that time I will bring you home, at the time when I gather you.” Zephaniah 3:14-20
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.” Philippians 4:4-7
And John the Baptist has a different approach: "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" Luke 3:7-18
Cody Interviews Gavin Rogers
Associate Pastor at Travis Park United Methodist Church and Host at Pub Theology, in San Antonio, TX.
“The Christian response to immigrants and refugees doesn’t change depending on the country you live in.”
Cody discusses Gavin’s ongoing deep-dive into understanding the lives of the migrants walking through Mexico to the USA border. Breaking down the stereotypes with truth and dismantling fears, Gavin describes the loving welcome he received from the migrant caravan.
Listen to the entire podcast here:
Resources:
Cody and Craig have put together a bunch of resources for you to peruse and get more background on the topic of joy and happiness. Articles, research, books, movies, and music are here for you to dive into to bring all the joy you can muster. These are not bible studies, commentaries, or history on the bible. Just stuff about happiness, well-being, and music that makes us happy.
From Psychology Today
From the brainiacs at Harvard:
Research:
Institute for Place and Wellbeing at the University of Arizona
The Pursuit of Happiness: Well-being and the science of smiles
Books:
The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World; by Dalai Lama XIV, Desmond Tutu
In The Spirit of Happiness: A Book of Spiritual Wisdom, by Monks of New Skete
Movies:
After young Riley is uprooted from her Midwest life and moved to San Francisco, her emotions - Joy, Fear, Anger, Disgust and Sadness - conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house, and school.
Seventy-eight year old Carl Fredricksen travels to Paradise Falls in his home equipped with balloons, inadvertently taking a young stowaway.
Babette’s Feast, During the late 19th century, a strict religious community in a Danish village takes in a French refugee from the Franco-Prussian War as a servant to the late pastor's daughters.
Music:
Joy Formidable:
Sufjan Stevens:
Did I Make You Cry at Christmas?
Relent K: