December 15, 2013: Advent Week Three: Joy – Michael Hidalgo

In the songs of Zechariah, Mary and the angels there words like “glorify” and “praise” and “glory” are all used to express the sheer joy at seeing the coming of Jesus.  They expressed joy (which is the Greek word chairo) because they had joy (which is the Greek word chara) because God showed them grace (which is the Greek word charis) in sending his son Jesus to be with us. 

And this is the basis of joy – grace. All from the same root. Grace, it is said, “is that which delights” or “that which causes joy” … grace herself is a “joyous being.” And so we come, to a baby in a manger, the Savior of the world. A symbol of grace, which brings us joy.