In Advent, we prepare our hearts for Christmas. It is a time of spiritual reflection in the quiet dead of winter. Historically, it was a time of 40 days of fasting, prayer and reflection. It prepares us to wait in anticipation. We wait for Christ to come. As Mary held the hope of the world in the womb, a promise centuries old, we wait as they did. We wait for Christ the sacrifices, the murdered to rise from the tomb. As they would, so we wait. We wait for the Christ hidden in heaven, the Christ who ascended and promised to return. We wait for his coming each day anew . . . seeking to understand, embrace and reflect to others the God who identifies with his creation, the God who sacrifices in love, and the God who rules and guides. 

So far, we have gone through Hope and Peace and Joy. We have to see idols in our loves and society. They are the things which eclipse the Hope and Peace God would offer. We followed Elijah on a journey from the social reform and personal experience with the power of God, only to turn from triumph and hide in fear over difficulties. We saw the idols of Peace-of control of self, of peace through a relationship, or control of a nation or planet and considered instead how God is reflected in all those areas. 

This past week, we turned our attention to to joy. What are idols of Joy for you? What things are substitutes? I see few people who live with Joy, most I know stay too busy, numb or entertained to think much about it. What is your take on joy this advent?