Advent Joy!
I grew up in Sunday School – my grandpa was, what we referred to, as the Sunday School Superintendent. He opened SS and led us all in peppy, fun choruses. One of my favorites was…
♫ I’ve got the joy joy joy joy down in my heart – WHERE? – Down in my heart! ♫
Grandpa would turn things around and split the congregation into all girls and all boys and give us parts. O! What a precious memory. Life seemed so unfettered then. Now, do we even have Sunday School? Or, SS Assemblies? I’m not sure – but those choruses were a huge part of my world. I taught those choruses to my grandkids. We’d sing on road trips.
♫ Deep and Wide ♫
♫ The Wise Man Built His House Upon The Rock ♫
♫ Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam ♫
Do You Have Fond Memories of Sunday School?
I hope you do – I am extremely grateful for mine.
Jesus Is Our Joy!
The older I get the more this statement is true. When all the world can be falling apart around me – I can look to Jesus for real joy. So, this week of Advent celebration we celebrate Him as OUR JOY!
Let’s meditate on JOY scriptures this week. Ready? (I always want to have a Baptist Bible Drill – do you remember those???)
Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8.10
You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. Psalm 16.11
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. John 15.11
…for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Romans 14.17
Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my boasting on your behalf. I am filled with comfort. I am exceedingly joyful in all our tribulation. 2 Corinthians 7.4
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness… Galatians 5.22
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Philippians 4.4
…looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12.2
…whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory…1 Peter 1.8
“…for the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Revelation 7.17
JOY!
That Revelation scripture above is going to be worth all of the sufferings here on earth. Pure JOY!
And, a blog about joy without this song would be amiss – now don’t get all religious on me, play it and allow yourself a little fun jig or something!
A lovely joyful post Susan!
I didn’t grow up going to Sunday School instead we had Christian religious instruction at school during the week (I was in a private Christian school) with going to church on Sunday.
But I taught Sunday School & Scripture (religious education) in the public school system after I came into a personal relationship with the Lord.
Lovely memories,
Bless you,
Jennifer
Bless you, Jennifer. I must scoot over and enjoy a holiday cuppa with you at once! xo
I’m so grateful for the joy that comes from Jesus! Thank you for sharing this. Have a joyful Advent Susan!
Marielle! Eternally grateful!
This is truly the season of JOY………………..
Sunday School……..United Presbyterian and I have super great memories of it including the assembly before classes and even remember the name of our SS superintendent……..Mr. James. WOW! Bible drills…..we did them in the UP church and later in the Southern Baptist that was my first church after being saved. Thank you, Susan, for stirring up some happy memories this morning.
JOYful memories even, amen?
He is our joy, And so much in the world is trying to steal it.
So much.
I love this post. And I love that I was told a long time ago, by a very wise woman, that even when our happiness is gone, our JOY can last. A burning ember underneath the pains of the world.
Jesus is my the source of my joy.
And thanks for the reminder of the songs of my childhood! 🙂
I’m clinging to that joy today. Because happiness is a far reach this Christmas season.
xo
So thankful that because of Him we can have joy. Even in hard times and when I don’t feel joyful. And yes, to those SS songs. We have joy in our heart because of what he did and who he is.
Theresa, I am so grateful also!
Susan, this post brought joy to my day! Those verses are so life giving to meditate upon! Thank you!!
I am glad Donna and thanks for telling me!
I love your emphasis on Scripture memorization, Susan. It’s where I want to beef up my spiritual disciplines in the new year. And I love the verses you’ve selected for us. They all help us to remember there is great joy in our Savior coming to earth! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed new year!
Beth, I am so thankful I have “hid His Word in my heart” because memorization has gotten harder and harder as I get older and older!!!!!!
Love you SS memories.
We still have SS and SS opening at our church!
And it’s really a source of joy that I’ll be glad to return to once the days of COVID are behind us…
Covid sure has sucked joy out of life hasn’t it?
JOY, JOY, JOY, Jesus is LORD!
Joy!