Wednesday, December 17, 2025

Luke 2:15–16
Joy on the Way

After the angels left, the shepherds didn’t stay where they were. They looked at one another and said, “Let’s get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us.” Joy moved them. Not with all the answers or a detailed plan, but with trust and urgency.

That’s often how joy works in our lives, too. It doesn’t wait until everything is clear or settled. It nudges us forward toward connection, toward compassion, toward showing up even when we feel tired or unsure. One step leads to another, and suddenly we find ourselves closer to hope than we expected.

Advent joy is not about standing still. It is about moving toward what God is doing, even when the path is dimly lit. The shepherds went just as they were, carrying wonder, questions, and hope in equal measure. And God met them there.

Today, consider where joy might be inviting you to take a step. It may be small. It may feel ordinary. But God is already ahead of you, waiting.

Prayer:
God who calls us forward, give us the courage to move toward the joy you offer. Guide our steps as we follow your light. Amen.