Keeping Vigil Over Joy

On the second Sunday of Advent, Justin Fung reflects on how we keep vigil over joy in the midst of all that’s going on in our lives and in the world. [Luke 2:10] Resources Dallas Willard, The Great Omission: “Joy is not pleasure, a mere sensation, but a pervasive and constant sense of well-being. Hope in the goodness of God is joy’s indispensable support.”   Jan Richardson, “Blessing for Waiting” Who wait for the night to end bless them. Who wait for the night to begin bless them. Who wait in the hospital room who wait in the cell who wait in prayer bless them. Who wait for news who wait for the phone call who wait for a word who wait for a job a house a child bless them. Who wait for one who will come home who wait for one who will not come home bless them. Who wait with fear who wait with joy who wait with peace who wait with rage who wait for the end who wait for the beginning who wait alone who wait together bless them. Who wait without knowing what they wait for or why bless them. Who wait when they should not wait who wait when they should be in motion who wait when they need to rise who wait when they need to set out bless them. Who wait for the end of waiting who wait for the fullness of time who wait emptied and open and ready who wait for you, o bless. Candle-lighting liturgy (courtesy of our friends at Vox Veniae) Emmanuel, God with us, Savior to captives and prisoners everywhere, at the celebration of your birth be wit