#185: Advent: Joy: Finding joy in the little things

INSIDE: Finding joy in the little things. How do we do it? How can we experience God’s joy and glory in our real life?

In today’s Advent episode, we take a look at how the shepherds found joy in the middle of their everyday, right now lives.

Finding joy in the little things

God placed these shepherds so they lived in the fields near where Jesus was born. Where has God placed you? What does proximity to Christ look like for you this season? How can you draw near to the God who will always draw near to you?

They were keeping watch over their flocks. What work has God called you to right now? Is it parenting? Working outside the home? Leading a volunteer team? Being the hostess for All The Teenagers?

The shepherds heard the angel’s good news about the Messiah, where to find Him, and what to look for. And they went to check it out for themselves. What words about the Lord have you heard that you would like to experience for yourself? What have you been taught that you would like to encounter? What makes you curious about Jesus?

They found Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in the manager, and they spread the word concerning what they had been told. Once you have experienced Jesus for yourself, who would you like to tell? Who might be amazed at what you’ve discovered about the Lord in this season?

Then the shepherd returned to their fields and flock, and they glorified and praised God for all the things they had heard and seen.

To what daily work do you need to return? How can you do what God’s invited you to do – the tasks, the roles, the responsibilities – with praise? How can you glorify God in your daily, regular, real life?

How to find joy in the little things

For there to always remain in your life some place for the singing of angels, you do not need an angelic visit.

Perhaps to make space for the singing of angels means to do the work God specifically created you to do, at the time He gave you to do it, to be open to the possibility of wonder and miracle, to go and see Jesus for yourself, to tell others about what you’ve experienced, and to return to your real life, making much of Jesus.

Finding joy in the little things Quotes

“Joy can be found where you are and is all about your heart posture.” – Jill E. McCormick
“Joy is available to those of us living our everyday lives exactly where God placed us.” – Jill E. McCormick
“Joy is a byproduct of holding an open-hearted posture about what miracles God can do in, through, and around you.” – Jill E. McCormick
“Friend, joy is for you. In this season. Wherever you are. Whatever you are doing. Whatever you face.” – Jill E. McCormick