It’s the second Sunday of Advent today.
If I have my Advent weeks right (which I feel like I rarely do), this week is Joy.
I find myself struck with the reminder Mom used to give me that joy is a very different thing than happiness. Joy is deep in our soul, part of the fruit of the Spirit, and something we get from Christ. Not our circumstances.
And since, for whatever reason, this December is starting out a little (or maybe a lot) blue. And stressful. It’s a good reminder. And something I know I’ll be focusing on this week.
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On Monday, Valerie Bodden said, “Long live chivalry.”
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Tuesday: Hannah Jo Abbott
Wednesday: Valerie Comer
Thursday: Jaycee Weaver
Friday: Mandi Blake
Saturday: Lindi Peterson
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December 2021
Romanced by the Hero (Heroes of Freedom Ridge 12) by Liwen Y. Ho
Their Unbreakable Bond (Rocky Mountain Family 4) (K9 Companions 1) by Deb Kastner
The Breakup Project (Original Six Hockey Romance 1) by Carolyn Miller
Reclaiming Hope (Independence Islands 18) by Carolyn Miller
Healing Skye (Coastal Hearts) by Janet W Ferguson
No Place Like Home by Amy R Anguish
November 2021
Together in Thyme (Urban Farm Fresh Romance 12) by Valerie Comer
Footprints on Her Heart (Independence Islands 17) by Tabitha Bouldin
Believing the Hero (Heroes of Freedom Ridge 9) by Tara Grace Ericson
Guarded by the Hero (Heroes of Freedom Ridge 7) by Mandi Blake
Pieces of Forever (River Falls 1) by Valerie M Bodden
Always Been Yours (Something Borrowed Collection 1) by Jaycee Weaver
Head Over Stilettos (Fab Forties 2) by Liwen Y. Ho
All the Moore (Something Borrowed Collection 2) by Toni Shiloh
Somehow, This Christmas (Something Borrowed Collection 4) by Teresa Tysinger
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Elizabeth Maddrey is a semi-reformed computer geek and homeschooling mother of two who lives in the suburbs of Washington D.C. When she isn’t writing, Elizabeth is a voracious consumer of books. She loves to write about Christians who struggle through their lives, dealing with sin and receiving God’s grace on their way to their own romantic happily ever after.
Joy sounds good to me.
Elizabeth, Blessings on this Second Sunday of Advent, which is the Candle of Preparation or Bethlehem and reminds us to get ready or prepare to receive God.
First Advent is the Candle of Hope or Prophecy. Our HOPE comes from God. Third of Advent is the Candle of Joy or Shepherd and recalls the angels joyfully singing about the birth of Christ. Fourth Sunday of Advent is Candle of Love or Angel and reminds Christians that God loves them enough to send his only Son to Earth.
As a German and former pastor’s wife every December I get out my Advent wreath “cheat sheet.” The Advent wreath on our dining table is our first holiday decoration. Wouldn’t be Christmas without it.
But as YOU and Mary Preston stated JOY sounds good. I agree with your mom, but in today’s world JOY and happiness are often used interchangeably. We often reminded our children and ourselves, that happiness is a choice. Plus during this holiday season, whenever I see the word JOY on a sign or Christmas card or ornament; I chuckle. MY 8 year old granddaughter’s middle name is JOY. Starting at age 4 she became indignant that people are constantly using her middle name and she doesn’t like it. Have to love her attitude and she does bring JOY.
So as I prepare for this Christmas, I hope I bring JOY to others. With my smile and caring attitude to family, friends, and strangers. Best wishes. Happy Second Sunday of Advent.
Well, I was wrong. Renate has it for us below thankfully!
Thanks for this, Renate! I have lost my cheat sheet somewhere along the way and my googling was inconclusive.
Your granddaughter sounds delightful and precious.
I have no idea which weeks of Advent are what, to be honest. I know each week when we light the Advent candle at church, but other than that, I don’t keep up. We never observed Advent when I was growing up, it just wasn’t something the Baptist churches I grew up in did, until I was in my late 20’s, early 30’s. So, it’s not something that’s really stuck with me. I do like to observe it, but I don’t remember what each week is for.
I guess maybe it can change, because my church today said it was Peace. 🤣
The real thing I guess is to remember that hope, joy, peace, and love are the advent themes that we carry into life all year as believers.
Hi, yes, we are on the 2nd week of Advent and the candle is the Peace candle that is lit. Have a great week and stay safe.
It’s so interesting to me that there are some differences in how churches (and individual people) assign the themes!
Hi, Elizabeth! Congratulations to our winners! Most of my time in church has been without advent wreaths or candles so I usually feel really lost in that regard. Jesus came, He lived through the crucifixion and arose in victory. I guess I’ll focus on those and pick up the specifics of the traditions as I can.
Merry Christmas, all!
That really is the important part!
Mine did, too, and I thought we did it last week, so I’m really confused now!! lol!!!! Maybe it’s the denomination?? I have no idea!! lol!!
Have a joyful Sunday!
You, too!
Congratulations to the winners. God bless you all. Thank you for all your hard work on this blog.
Congrats to the winners
That’s a beautiful reminder! And that’s also why the lyrics of Joy to the world are so timely and helpful this time of the year. :)
I’ve never celebrated Advent but it’s a beautiful time of the year to reflect on the fruits of the Spirit. I agree, Joy is more than what we feel emotionally it’s what we feel in spite of our circumstances. Something I’m learning to do more & more :-)
Congrats to this weeks winners! God bless each one of you this blessed holiday season.