Joy
is not a platitude
though sometimes
we use it as a mask
Joy is not smile
Jesus loves you
it is not happiness
Have you seen
a joyful child?
the gift of their giggles
the wonder of life
borne from love
(yes I am writing
all bornes with
poetic “e”s this season)
Joy is rebellious
it is deep-rooted sense
of differentiated
Belonging
to Community
Creation
and Self
All at Once
it is the ability
to still Create
even in the Midst
of Grief
Joy is Art
Joy to the World
Is practicing
Advent
claiming the
Holy Imaginings
for better
How Much More
For Proclaiming Lament
And Claiming Tomorrow
Joy is the In-Breaking Christmas
In the Midst of Advent
Even the Ancient Priests had Proclaim in Pink
Excuse me I mean Rose
Because they could not hold back
the Gaudy Carols of Christmas
During the Long Season
Of Advent
(and not just because it used to be
Six Weeks instead of Four)
God, you know,
That we know,
We are tired of this Advent Season
Yet
Somehow
You Teach us Joy
In Children
In Art
In Gardens
In Our Deep Longings for More
Remind us that
Joy
is a
Revolution*
Amen
Amen
Feel free to use/adapt/share with credit to Pastor Katy Stenta “KatyandtheWord”
To read more about How Joy is a Revolution
https://aestheticsofjoy.com/joy-is-an-act-of-resistance-how-celebration-sustains-activism-2/
https://www.whatcompjc.org/blog/august-03rd-2020
“Incite Joy” By Gay Ross from your local bookstore
katyandtheword 