Advent and the Source of Joy

As we are two days away from Christmas, I want to come back to the opening of Psalm 119 and focus on a single word in the first two verses. This word is often used at this time of year, and it might help us center our hearts and thoughts as we enter Christmas weekend.

In the NLT, the translation reads "joyful." If we were to do a quick word study and see where else in the Scriptures this Hebrew term is used, we would see it translated as blessed, joyful, and happy. Here are the first eight verses of Psalm 119:

Joyful are people of integrity,

who follow the instructions of the Lord.

Joyful are those who obey his laws

and search for him with all their hearts.

They do not compromise with evil,

and they walk only in his paths.

You have charged us

to keep your commandments carefully.

Oh, that my actions would consistently

reflect your decrees!

Then I will not be ashamed

when I compare my life with your commands.

As I learn your righteous regulations,

I will thank you by living as I should!

I will obey your decrees.

Please don't give up on me!

This Hebrew word used for joyful is אַשְׁרֵי (ʾašrê), if you were to try and pronounce it, it sounds like "ashtray without the 't,' and then give a little guttural roll to the 'r,' and you have it.

What is so striking about this word, is not only how it is used, but also what it is connected to. While our definition of joyful, blessed, and happy might carry more of an emotional state that comes from our circumstances, the Psalmist seems to indicate that joy originates in our honesty before the Lord and how we live our life. Somehow in our longing for God and our pursuit of Him, we are allowed to experience a kind of blessing.

So an easy way to think through this idea would be to consider - where do I find joy? What is its source? What path am I walking?

Or examine the inverse. In what ways have I been wandering from God? Where have I lacked integrity and honesty towards God and others?

As we quickly approach the celebration of our coming King, let's do so out of our posture of reverence and a life that reflects the truth of God's Word.

We don't often associate the way of joy, blessing, and happiness with obedience, but that is precisely the path we are invited to explore this Christmas season.

I want to close now with a quote:

"This way of joy demands full commitment to God and to his word. No halfhearted assent with occasional obedience will suffice." S. E. Tesh & W. D. Zorn

From your Forum family, we wish you a very Merry Christmas, and we look forward to gathering with you this Christmas Eve and/or Christmas morning. While we won't be live streaming our Sunday morning gathering, we have prepared a special Christmas morning song and a short message. Click here to watch wherever you happen to be Christmas Day.

May the days ahead be marked by joy, blessing, commitment, and obedience. Merry Christmas!

-Bradley