Advent Week 3 - Joy
Entering Anamnesis
Our Advent journey with anamnesis continues. In the first week, we entered Israel’s longing and learned to wait with hope. Last week, we heard John’s voice in the wilderness as a present summons to prepare the way for the Lord. Now we step into the story as joy begins to break through.
Anamnesis does not stop at recalling the past; it also gathers the future into the present. When the Church gathers at the Table and proclaims, “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again,” we practice a remembering that stretches forward. The story of Christ’s first coming sharpens our anticipation of His return. The joy of Mary’s song, the thrill of John pointing to the Lamb, the wonder of shepherds hearing angels, these are more than memories to admire and read about. They are also living realities to join.
This third week, joy erupts before everything is resolved. It is joy rooted in seeing that the Light has come and is coming still. In anamnesis, their joy becomes ours, calling us to rejoice even now: “The Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness.” Zephaniah 3:17
Scripture Readings (NLT)
Isaiah 35:1–10
Even the wilderness and desert will be glad in those days. The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses.
Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy!
The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon, as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon.
There the Lord will display his glory,the splendor of our God.
With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees. Say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.”
And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf. The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy!
Springs will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams will water the wasteland.
The parched ground will become a pool, and springs of water will satisfy the thirsty land.
Marsh grass and reeds and rushes will flourish where desert jackals once lived.
And a great road will go through that once deserted land.
It will be named the Highway of Holiness.
Evil-minded people will never travel on it.
It will be only for those who walk in God’s ways; fools will never walk there.
Lions will not lurk along its course, nor any other ferocious beasts.
There will be no other dangers. Only the redeemed will walk on it.
Those who have been ransomed by the Lord will return. They will enter Jerusalem singing, crowned with everlasting joy.
Sorrow and mourning will disappear, and they will be filled with joy and gladness.
Zephaniah 3:14–17
Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel!
Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!
For the Lord will remove his hand of judgment and will disperse the armies of your enemy.
And the Lord himself, the King of Israel, will live among you!
At last your troubles will be over, and you will never again fear disaster.
For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.
Luke 1:46–55 (Mary’s Song)
Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me. He shows mercy from generation to generation to all who fear him.
His mighty arm has done tremendous things! He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
He has brought down princes from their thrones and exalted the humble.
He has filled the hungry with good things and sent the rich away with empty hands.
He has helped his servant Israel and remembered to be merciful. For he made this promise to our ancestors, to Abraham and his children forever.”
John 1:6–9, 29
God sent a man, John the Baptist, to tell about the light so that everyone might believe because of his testimony. John himself was not the light; he was simply a witness to tell about the light. The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”
Reflect
Advent joy rises before the story is complete. Mary lifted her voice in praise with the Messiah still growing within her. The shepherds heard a song of glory in the night sky and found themselves overflowing with wonder before they ever saw the baby. John looked at Jesus and simply declared, “Behold, the Lamb of God.”
Anamnesis draws us into those moments so their joy becomes our own. We discover joy that is rooted in the presence of Christ, sometimes quiet, sometimes hidden, always real. This joy steadies us in waiting, strengthens us for faithfulness, and spills over in witness to those around us. It is joy that anchors us in the nearness of God.
Consider
Where have you glimpsed Christ’s presence this week, even in small or hidden ways?
What threatens to steal your joy: comparison, hurry, fear, resentment?
How can you help your community “point and behold” Jesus together?
Prayer Prompts
Magnify: Pray Mary’s song (Luke 1:46–55) slowly. Add your own lines of praise.
Name the mercies: Write down five specific ways you’ve seen God’s goodness in the last 48 hours.
Behold Jesus: Imagine standing with John as he points—pray, “Behold, the Lamb of God.”
Practice joy: Choose one embodied act today—sing, smile, bless, or celebrate—as a way of rejoicing in Christ’s nearness.
Communal Intercession:
God of joy, crown our network with gladness that cannot be stolen. Teach us to recognize Your presence in small beginnings and ordinary places. Let joy be our resistance to despair and our invitation to neighbors hungry for hope.