As we move deeper into Advent, I know many of us are carrying things that feel heavy, grief over someone we miss, discouragement in a difficult season, or just the quiet ache that shows up this time of year when life hasn’t turned out the way we hoped. And here comes Advent Week 3… Joy.

But what if joy feels out of reach?

This week, we’re diving into one of the most surprising truths of the Christmas story: God doesn’t wait for our sorrow to lift before He brings joy. He brings joy into sorrow. Even in the shadows, even when the tears are real, even when life is confusing or painful, Jesus meets us there with a joy the world can’t give and circumstances can’t steal. We'll revisit Isaiah 9:1-7, focusing especially on verses 3-5 and explore what Isaiah calls “joy in the darkness". We'll look at how God actually grows joy in places we least expect it. And yes, we’ll talk about why biblical joy is not denial, not forced positivity, and not pretending. Its presence, God’s presence breaking into real life. If you or someone you love needs that kind of joy… If this season feels heavier than you hoped it would… If you’re longing for God to break through the sorrow with something deeper and stronger… Please join us. And invite someone who needs encouragement right now. We’ll also continue our Advent practices and light the Candle of Joy, reminding one another that the darkness does not get the last word.