13th December 2025
Advent – Joy
The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow. And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it. No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, and those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
Isaiah 35:1-10 (NIV 2011)
Joy often surprises us. It can burst forth in the most unexpected places; like a flower blooming in the desert, or laughter breaking into a room full of tears. Joy does not deny our struggles. Joy transforms them. In Advent, we remember that even in the wilderness of life, the promise of Christ brings streams of gladness. Advent reminds us that
- Jesus is our reason for rejoicing, even in the midst of trials.
- He is always with us.
- He gives us countless reasons to rejoice – forgiveness, inclusion, belonging, participation, relationship, mercy, grace, hope, peace, love, and eternity.
Rejoicing leads to worship. We rejoice because Jesus is our all in all – our Saviour, brother, friend, firstfruit, creator, teacher, encourager, and comforter. He is God, and yet fully human. He knows us, understands us, and walks with us. He is our eternal hope, and He is the joy within us.
As we come to the third week of Advent, let us reflect together: where have you experienced the surprising joy of Christ this year? How can you slow down this season to notice and celebrate those moments more fully?
During the third week of Advent, let us rejoice in Christ, our eternal joy.
Prayer
Loving Father, may the joy of Jesus take root in us, overflow through us, and point the world to the glory of God. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
This study is an amended transcript of an equipping video to empower and inspire Grace Communion International congregations around the world to live and share the gospel. It has been produced by the Home Office Team in Charlotte, NC, USA, and was first published in the 31 October 2025 edition of the Equipper publication.
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