By Daniel Zamora
Romans 12:9-12
Today’s reading calls us to be joyful in hope. That is a very nice invitation assuming that whoever reads it or hears about it knows where to find joy and how to replenish it once it wears out. Getting joy is not like buying groceries or clothes or shopping for a car or a house, and certainly there is no such place as the joy station.
Joy is defined as a feeling, one of great pleasure and happiness. Every time the Scripture mentions it is in connection with a big event happening in the lives of those referring to God. As we read earlier this week, an angel announced to the shepherds, “I bring you good news of great joy.” Later, in the letter to Galatians, joy is described as one of the nine elements known as the fruit of the Spirit.
On the other hand “hope is a feeling of expectation and desire for certain things to happen.” We probably have hope in many things but, as Advent is a season preparing our hearts for a major occasion, let us fully enjoy and rejoice as we look forward to celebrate the birth of God’s Son, anticipate His second coming and expect His presence in our lives every day.