December 18, 2020

Sharing from the Congregation – David Petty

So you have pain now; but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you. – John 16:22

Advent Lighting – Light three candles; hope, peace, and joy

If you’ve ever spent time in southern Louisiana, or perhaps even if you haven’t, you might be familiar with the word “lagniappe.” Lagniappe is a Cajun-French word that means “something extra” or “a bonus.” For example , if you open a new bank account and get a free calendar, radio, calculator, etc., that’s lagniappe. At some Cajun restaurants the word is used on the menu to indicate dessert.

For me, joy is the lagniappe of Advent. All the other themes of advent — hope, peace, love, and Christ — are things we desperately need (this year hope seems especially needed). The scriptures repeatedly promise us all these things. But what about joy, which perhaps we don’t actually need? Do we get that too? Yes, we are promised even that. It’s an extra.

The difficulty is in the waiting. It can be helpful to remind ourselves of something we already know (but might have overlooked), that the relationship between joy and happiness is a bit like the relationship between climate and weather. One is a long term state and the other is a temporary condition.

Merry/joyful Christmas to you all.

Gracefully submitted,
David Petty