Advent Week 3
On Finding Soul-Level Joy This Season
Joy.
When I think about joy, I think about the things that bring a sparkle to my eye, a smile to my face, and laughter to my soul.
I think about the laughter shared with my kids around the dinner table, the excitement of giving gifts during the holiday season, and Starbucks with my bestie. I, also, think about waiting in my dining room to jump out and scare my husband as he walks in from the kitchen. It’s the little things that bring the most joy (LOL!).
And as I sit and reflect on what brings me joy, I realize that it’s often an external experience that sparks joy within me.
If you know me in real life, you probably know that joy is often something I struggle with. I know in my mind that joy is a fruit of the Spirit. It’s something that should be deep inside me, steady and accessible, not dependent on circumstances. And yet, often, I struggle to actually feel joyful.
I read verses like Nehemiah 8:10, “Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
And I find myself wondering…Where do I find this kind of joy?
This month, as we journey toward Christmas, I’ve been reflecting on the Advent themes while also considering how we prepare ourselves for the quickly approaching New Year. What does it look like to refocus our minds, bodies, souls, and spirits in a season that is so full?
There are presents to buy, parties to attend, concerts and luncheons galore. The calendar fills quickly. The noise gets louder. And if we’re not careful, we can move through the season without ever really being present in it.
So how do we not lose ourselves in the chaos? How do we slow down, care for ourselves well, and keep our hearts anchored in the true meaning of Christmas?
Today, I want to pause and focus on our souls.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:23, we read:
“Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
This verse reminds us that there is a distinction between our body, our soul, and our spirit.
Christianity.com describes the soul this way:
“The soul is basically our mind, our emotions, and our will. It is who we are as human beings.”
Your soul is the essence of who you are. It’s what makes you uniquely you.
So I want to ask you gently: How are you caring for your soul in this season?
When you look at your calendar, do you see activities that spark joy and bring life? Or are you finding it hard to locate joy at all right now?
I want to pause and hold space for you if the holidays are a season of struggle.
Maybe you’ve experienced loss during the holidays. Maybe this year carries fresh grief. Maybe the holidays have never felt joyful or safe for you.
If that’s you, please hear this: it’s okay to grieve. It’s okay if this season feels heavy.
I’m praying that God would meet you in sweet, specific, and meaningful ways, and that He would minister to your heart right where you are.
As I reflect on the external places where I often find joy, and as I contemplate how to stir deeper, inner joy, I feel challenged to remember this: joy is often discovered through presence, gratitude, and connection.
Maybe the best place to find true hope in my mind, peace in my body, and joy in my soul is to slow down, get quiet, and spend time with Jesus.
I know that true joy is found in Him, rooted in the hope of heaven. That promise is only found here – starting with Christmas.
It begins with the birth of a tiny baby who would one day grow into a man called Jesus, “because he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21) and Immanuel, “God with us” (Matthew 1:23).
When we invite Jesus into our lives, we receive all of Him. We are filled with His Spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
I am deeply thankful to be on this journey as a Jesus girl in community. Because where I am weak, I can find strength in those around me. And I am grateful for friends who lovingly and consistently point me back to Jesus and fan the flame of joy in my life.
When you think about joy right now, does it feel more like something you experience occasionally or something that feels steady within you? Are you bursting with joy right now? Or are you looking for ways to gently relight your joy spark?
As you move through this week, I invite you to choose one small way to tend to your soul. Not to fix anything. Not to force joy. Just to notice where God might already be meeting you.
If you’re longing to relight your joy spark or fan your flame in simple, sacred ways, I’d love for you to download this Week 3 Joy Reset guide. It’s a two-page companion with ten simple practices for nurturing gratitude, delight, and soul-level joy right where you are.
And if this post resonated with you, consider sharing it with a friend who might need a gentle reminder that joy doesn’t have to be loud or constant to be real.
I’m grateful to be walking through this Advent season with you. May you experience the nearness of Jesus this week, and may His joy quietly strengthen your soul.
Wishing you joy as you journey,
Emily
Certified Intuitive Eating Counselor & Coach at IE with Emily
P.S. Find last year’s Advent reflection on joy here:
I’ve been in a mood the past couple of days so I needed this refocus on joy ❤️