Advent Week Three

The Healing Heart

Joy Born from Grace

By the third week of Advent, the candles are half-lit, and we start to taste joy on the edges of our anticipation. Not because everything has worked out perfectly, but because joy—true joy—isn’t rooted in circumstances.

It’s rooted in Christ.

So often in my writing, I explore what it looks like for people to carry heartache while still choosing joy. I think of my characters learning to trust again after betrayal, or finding beauty in broken places.

Real life is like that too.

The birth of Jesus didn’t erase all the problems of the world. But it changed everything.

Grace entered the scene. Hope was given to us.

This is the kind of joy we celebrate at Advent. Not the kind tied to perfect plans or tidy lives, but the joy that takes root in us because Jesus came to be with us—in the mess and the ache and the wonder.

That’s good news. And that’s reason to rejoice.

Reflection verse:

“Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” — Luke 2:10