Songs of Joy
Click on the songs below for songs of joy. Soft and loud, slow and quick. May joy surprise.
Elizabeth & A Joy that Leaps
Click on the gallery below for a contemplative reading from Luke 1:26-38 (NIV)
Art & Photography for Joy
Click on the gallery below to dive into images - ancient & modern - of Elizabeth and Mary, joy, laughter, and BABIES.
Poems of Joy
These poems, from my journal, were written during past joy weeks.
"Joy to the World, Reprise"
A journal poem from peace week, 2020
Joy to the World,
to the weary world,
to the ones awake
in the silent hours.
Joy to the World,
to the wounded world,
to the ones who walk
their roads with a limp.
"Joy to the World"
is not an anthem
but a ballad
set in a minor key.
In a world of sorrow,
joy only exists
in the realm of a King
who shouldered a cross.
I never could drink
from the cup of this joy
if the Hands that held it out
weren't scarred.
"This Has Fallen Out of Fashion"
A journal poem from advent 2021
In every draft
of every poem
red lines scar
each stanza,
each line,
where this canceled
word has snuck
on the page.
Even my iPhone
recommends
that I cut it,
suggesting instead
what it thinks
I have meant.
I promise
to choose
the best
of the words,
but look...
at the geese
returning
with a haunting cry
and look...
at the crocus
hiding
with snow-covered cheeks
and look...
at my baby
blinking
with laughter
and look...
at this
and this
and this.
Prayers of Joy
Ancient prayers. Breath prayers. Scripture prayers. Lean on these or create your own.
O Wisdom, Lord and Ruler, Root of Jesse, Key of David, Rising Sun, King of the Nations, Emmanuel, Come, Lord Jesus.
O my God, I ask of thee for myself and for those whom I hold dear, the grace to fulfull perfectly the holy will, to accept for love of thee the joys and sorrows of this passing life, so that we may one day be united together in heaven for all eternity. Amen.
Blessed are You, O Lord, who has nourished me from my youth up, who gives food to all flesh. Fill our hearts with joy and gladness that we, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work in Christ Jesus our Lord, through whom to You be glory, honor, might, majesty, and dominion, forever and ever. AMEN.
You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.
“If you are seeking, seek us with joy For we live in the kingdom of joy. Do not give your heart to anything else But to the love of those who are clear joy, Do not stray into the neighborhood of despair. For there are hopes: they are real, they exist – Do not go in the direction of darkness – I tell you: suns exist.”
“May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, the rains fall soft upon your fields, and, until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”
Inhale: The joy of the Lord Exhale: is my strength.
O good shepherd, seek me out, and bring me home to thy fold again. Deal favourably with me according to thy good pleasure, till I may dwell in thy house all the days of my life, and praise thee for ever and ever with them that are there.
Journal Prompts
Use them all, or only a few, or none at all.
Notice which ones draw you. Notice which ones repel you. Create your own. Draw. Discuss. Play.
May these prompts serve as a springboard.
01.
Longings.
Where in your life would you like to see joy kindled?
02.
Resistance.
Does anything in you resist joy? Consider the push-back.
03.
Vulnerability.
Is there anything you would like to receive from Jesus before embracing joy?
04.
History.
When have you experienced the joy of the Lord as your strength?
05.
Love.
How does God interact with your sorrow? Your joy? Consider His face, and His delight in you.