As we venture through Advent, our 2023 Saint Luke Advent Devotional writers will guide us on a journey of love, hope, peace, and joy, illuminating the true meaning of the season. We will discover that the most significant longings of our hearts are not found in gift-wrapped boxes but are gifts from a loving God. These reflections will inspire and elevate your Advent experience as we reflect together on what we truly want this Christmas.

John Menapace is the author of today’s devotional. John has been a member of Saint Luke for 25 years and is still learning to recognize grace.

JOY

“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.” -Proverbs 17:22

Once a month I get to visit Gemma Services with other members of Saint Luke to spend time with the children in residence. These are children who have faced loss, trauma, and significant challenges in their lives. All we are asked to do is spend time with these children. For the most part our time is spent playing. We go to the gym, the playground, and the athletic field. The kids spend most of the time running, shouting, and bouncing around.

When I first got involved with Gemma, I wondered how this helped. It seemed I should do more. But now that I’ve gotten to know some of the kids (sadly some stay at Gemma for a while) I now realize that our time together gives them what every child deserves: an opportunity for joy. I had forgotten the pure joy a child feels when running full tilt (usually escaping a zombie during zombie tag) and I have discovered God’s grace in the fact that these children – damaged and disrupted – still feel joy. So now I wonder at the simplicity and healing power of joy. I am very thankful for this lesson.

They say that Christmas is the season of joy. All I really want for Christmas is that we at Saint Luke spread that joy to those who need it most.

Dear God, help us discover your grace and the joy it brings. Give us the strength and sense to share your joy with one another. Amen.