Joy doesn’t just happen, our hearts have to be tuned to it. In this third week of Advent, Karen and Emily talk honestly about how hard it can be to find joy in the middle of exhaustion, family stress, and the very real unmet expectations of the season. Using the picture of tuning an instrument, they unpack how joy comes when we continually refocus our hearts on Jesus, not on our circumstances. If you’re longing for a steadier joy this Christmas season, this conversation is for you!

Episode Recap:

• Intro (00:00)
• Today we’re talking about joy (2:10)
• We have to tune our hearts to joy (4:12)
• Jesus often becomes a secondary thought in this season (5:55)
• Remind yourself on a daily basis that this life is not about you, it’s about Christ (7:50)
• Find ways to re-center yourself on Christ this Christmas (10:30)
• Decide to have NO expectations each day, live with an open hand (11:35)
• Focusing on God makes the trivial things of this world fade away (16:01)

Scripture: Luke 2:10-11 (ESV)
“And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

Discussion Questions: 

1. When you hear the idea of “tuning your heart to joy,” what stands out to you personally?
2. What tends to pull your focus away from Jesus most during the Christmas season?
3. Can you identify a recent moment where unmet expectations robbed you of joy?
4. What practical practices help you re-center on Christ?
5. How does Mary’s response to God’s plan challenge the way you respond to interruptions or disappointments?
6. What would it look like to hold your plans and expectations with open hands this season?

Resources:

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