This third week of Advent invites us to the practice and experience of joy. As we examine joy, we can draw insights from both the spiritual wisdom traditions and the advancing field of gratitude science.
Joy is often mistaken for a feeling of happiness, but as Dr. Pamela Ebstyne King, a professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, explains, joy is best understood as a virtue—a habit that can be cultivated. Unlike emotions that are summarized stories within our body, virtues are cultivated qualities of one’s being that shape how we live and relate to others.
Research supports this deeper understanding of joy. Dr. Barbara Fredrickson’s broaden-and-build theory reveals how joy can enhance our creativity, resilience, and social bonds. Joy isn’t merely a personal experience; it equips us to engage with the world purposefully, even in times of struggle. And, as theologian Willie James Jennings suggests, joy can be an act of resistance against despair, empowering us to contribute to a greater good.
Gratitude is the on-ramp to joy. When defined as the conscious appreciation of life’s gifts, gratitude shifts our focus from scarcity to abundance, helping us taste and see life’s goodness. Neuroscience shows that gratitude rewires our brains, counteracting the negativity bias that keeps us fixated on predicted problems. By consciously focusing on moments of thankfulness, we amplify positive memories, reduce stress, and increase overall well-being. Simply put, the science shows that people who practice gratitude feel more grateful. Imagine that!
But gratitude is just the beginning of things. Today, we are claiming a life of joy. And joy is a life of sustained gratitude—a life that is trained to see beauty, goodness, love, and the sacredness of all things. Joy is the energy of Great Connection.
I have developed a practice that I use daily and often share with those whom I provide spiritual direction. I call it the “FOR ME?!” practice. Pick anything—the chair you are sitting in, the sunrise, the snow-covered landscape, the clothes you are wearing, anything—and recognize it as a gift. Look deeply into its reality—the many hands that designed and built the chair, the wonder of another sunrise, the numerous people (and their stories) whose work brought your clothes to your closet. Look attentively and deeply; you might uncover stories beyond your imagination that are directly connected to your everyday life. And then, humbly and baffled (there’s both a question and an exclamation mark), exclaim aloud, FOR ME?! You will sense something happening within you as you begin to recognize the gift hidden in everything and everyone.
There is no shortage of gifts being given to you in this moment—your breath, your heartbeat, and, well…everything and everyone. What is missing is your conscious attention to the radical goodness and beauty of life. The socially promoted mode of scarcity has blinded us to our abundance. Yet, an intentional practice of sustained gratitude can transform us.
Try it…and you will see.
Shane Ash 