adapted from “Advent at the Kids Table” by The Welcome Table

“Joy to the world! The Lord has come! Let earth receive her king!” 

Have you heard this song before? Do you know what it’s about? It’s a song about the good news of Jesus’ birth. It’s telling us to be joyful – to be deeply glad and grateful – because the one who shows us God’s love for the world, the one who shows us how to live our lives with God and each other, has finally been born into the world. How exciting is that?!

When Jesus was born, the world was filled with joy and celebration – an not just from the people you might expect. Of course, his parents were excited that he was born, but so were the animals who shared their hay so Jesus could have a bed, and the angels who sang loud songs from the heavens, and the shepherds who ran in from the field just to see his cute feet and face. Everyone had been waiting a long time for this special baby to enter the world – and when he did, the world erupted with joy! 

Waiting can be really hard, but there is a lot of joy that comes when the waiting ends and what we are waiting for finally arrives. 

Christmas is just around the corner, and I bet you can hardly contain your excitement! It probably feels like Christmas could not come slower! But it will come eventually, it always does. And when the waiting is finally over, we also will erupt with joy! 

This week, as you wait, try not to get impatient in your waiting. Instead, try to look for joy in your excitement about what is coming. Look for joy in remembering that our Christmas story is the story of God’s love for the world. Look for joy when you see a baby and remember that at one time Jesus was that little too. And look for joy when you sing those familiar Christmas carols that tell of the good news of this tiny baby Jesus. Joy to the World! The Lord has come! 

• What are some of your favorite Christmas carols? Why do you like those the most?

• How have you experienced joy this week?

• How have you shared joy with others this week?

Press “pause” on your busy schedule and “play” on an impromptu Christmas music dance party. Search for fun remixes of your favorite classic carols or listen to our FFC playlist here!