Finding the Fullness of Joy in Unexpected Places

U sually, the Bible verse about joy that stands out to me is 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” As succinct as those directives are, they are far from simple. Always, without ceasing, in all circumstances. While I do still strive to live this verse out, a different verse, Psalm 16:11, captured my attention this season as I gave thought to the joy that Jesus brings.

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” (emphasis added)

In God’s presence, there is fullness of joy. In the presence of the infant Christ—very God in human form—joy came to the world in full. And we can follow that trail of joy as God “moved into the neighborhood” (John 1:14, MSG).

As one of the first to be in Christ’s presence, John the Baptist, in his mother’s womb, leapt for joy (Luke 1:41-44). Likewise, Mary sang a song of praise: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowly state of his servant. Surely from now on all generations will call me blessed” (Luke 1:46-48).

Upon Christ’s birth, the heavenly hosts filled the night sky with praise. The shepherds, after being in the presence of the newborn Christ, couldn’t contain the fullness of joy; they ran and told everyone, then continued giving praise and glory to God.

Not too long after, when the baby Jesus was brought to the temple, Anna the prophetess immediately began to praise God, for she had experienced the fullness of joy in God’s presence.

Did you notice the unlikely places where the fullness of joy is present? A formerly barren womb. A betrothed, unassuming young woman. A dungy stable. A manger bed. Lowly night-shift flock-watchers. A long-widowed old woman. Yet in God’s presence, in all these unexpected places, there was the fullness of joy.

If that’s any indication of the joy-filled power of Christ’s presence, I wonder in what unexpected places we might find the fullness of joy in the world today.

I think the Bible gives us some telling clues. First, the presence of God is found in the natural world around us: “For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands” (Isaiah 55:12). Not only in the majestic scenery around us, but in our fellow humans: “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16). And the fullness of joy can even be found in times of trial: “When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy” (Psalm 95:19). Unlikely places—trees, mountains, sin-tainted humans, trials and anxious times—yes. Yet in God’s presence, there is fullness of joy.

Maybe it’s hard to find joy in the world today, but if God is with us—Immanuel—and the psalmist is right, then there should indeed be the fullness of joy here too. (Confirmed: Jesus himself is with us always, to the end of the age, as he promised in Matthew 28:20.) As you prepare room for Christ this Advent, may you seek and find joy in even the most unexpected places.