Rejoice in the third week of Advent — a time to rediscover joy in the midst of life’s challenges. Reflect on the meaning of true joy and enjoy two uplifting songs to inspire your heart this season.
Advent Week 3: Joy
“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” — Psalm 126:3
There’s something radiant about this week of Advent. In this third week of Advent, we light the Joy or Shepherd Candle — a symbol of wonder.
We’ve journeyed through Hope and Peace — both often quiet, tender movements of the soul — and now we arrive at Joy, a note that rises higher, brighter, fuller. It is the sound of hearts lifting, of laughter returning, of light breaking through.
But joy isn’t always loud or easy. It doesn’t always come wrapped in celebration. Sometimes, joy arrives softly — after tears have fallen, when peace has finally taken root, and when hope has held us steady long enough for gratitude to bloom.
Joy is what happens when we remember we are loved, even here, even now.
Music for the Journey
This week’s selections are intentionally uplifting — a celebration in sound:
🎵 Angels From the Realms of Glory – The Piano Guys
This instrumental piece lifts the spirit. Each note feels like light unfurling across a dark sky, like the first smile after a long night. There’s majesty in the music — a reminder that joy is both divine and deeply human.
🎵 Joy to the World (Joyful, Joyful) – Phil Wickham
This one is pure celebration. It pulses with energy — the kind that makes you want to sing along, even if you don’t know all the words. It reminds us that joy multiplies when we share it — it’s meant to spill over, to brighten the world around us.
Reflection
Joy is not a denial of pain. It is a defiance of despair.
It’s choosing to notice the beauty that remains, the blessings that still come, and the love that continues to hold us together. It’s found in laughter around the table, in the glow of candlelight, in the hush of a prayer whispered at dawn.
This week, may joy find you — not only in grand moments, but in small ones too.
A smile exchanged. A song that lifts your heart. A memory that warms you.
May you feel the sacred spark of joy rise again, steady and bright, within your soul.
Advent Practice:
Each day, name one thing that brings you joy — and thank God for it.
Write it down, speak it aloud, or sing it if you must. Let gratitude open the door for joy to enter fully in.
-laura