Thursday, December 18, 2025

Luke 2:19
Joy That Lingers

After the shepherds arrived in Bethlehem and shared what they had seen and heard, the scene quieted. Luke tells us that Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. Joy did not rush past her. It stayed. It settled. It lingered.

Not all joy is loud or immediate. Some joy takes time to sink in. It shows up after the moment has passed when we replay a conversation, remember a shared smile, or sit quietly with what God has revealed. Advent invites us into that kind of joy, the kind that doesn’t demand a response right away, but gently reshapes us from the inside.

We live in a world that moves quickly, where joy can feel fleeting or easily interrupted. Yet Mary reminds us that joy can be held, reflected upon, and carried forward. It can sustain us long after the moment itself has ended.

Today, notice where joy may be lingering for you. It might be found in a memory, a word spoken earlier this week, or a quiet sense of peace you can’t fully explain. Hold it gently. Treasure it. God is still at work.

Prayer:
God who dwells among us, help us notice and hold the joy you place in our hearts. Teach us to treasure your presence as we wait for Christ’s coming. Amen.