Gladvent Week 2 – Let Joy Ring Out!

Let Joy Ring Out! (Bells and Bows)

Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1: 8-9

Let Joy Ring Out! – 1 Peter 1:8-9

I have a teenage daughter. When she was younger, she wore big bows in her hair. She was so happy in twirly dresses, sparkly outfits, and gigantic bows. A very girly girl. Those bows could be spotted from a mile away.

They were the sign of one very happy little girl. An outward sign that everyone could see.

Outward signs for all to see

I like to think about those bows when I see all the bows on Christmas wreaths, trees, bells, and other Christmas decorations. An outward sign of the joy that we feel during the Christmas season.

The sounds of the season

As a singer and music teacher, I also love the bells that get played at Christmas. When I was in junior high and high school, I played handbells at church. My favorite Christmas song was Silver Bells. I love the idea of a sound that represents the joy of the season.

Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1: 8-9

Advent is all about preparing our hearts for the birth of Jesus. I love this verse in 1 Peter! Even though we have never seen Jesus in the flesh, we can still love Him. Though we cannot see Jesus right now, we can still believe in Him. Not just believe, but rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy!

Joy rings out

That kind of joy rings out – it shows in outward signs that we can see and hear, like the bows and bells of Christmas. As we see and hear those signs this year, let them be a reminder to show smiles and kind eyes to people as we are working and shopping and running around. Let them keep us using kind voices and prompt us to say encouraging words to others we meet during the holiday season.

Action Step:

Put a bow or bell up in your house or car or workspace to be a special reminder to let our inexpressible and glorious joy at the birth of the Savior overflow to our faces and voices today!

Take a moment to smile at someone who is frustrating you or say a kind word to that person who seems overwhelmed and downcast.

Prayer:

Dear God, thank you for the joy of the Savior. Inexpressible and glorious joy! Help us to spread that joy this season. Let the bows and bells in decorations bring to our remembrance the true joy of Christmas – the gift of Jesus! In Jesus’ name, amen.