written by Rev. Carol Cooper

Scripture: Colossians 1:9-14, NRSV (emphasis mine)
“For this reason, since the day we heard it, we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God. May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”

I mentioned before how much I love Christmas Music, and if you come near my office during the month of December, you are certain to hear it coming from my computer or my record player. Probably my favorite Christmas music to listen to, though, comes from the Peter Mayer group. If you are a parrothead, then you may know Peter Mayer as Jimmy Buffett’s guitarist. Beginning in 2008, Keith and I started going to a concert each Christmas season in Tulsa─the Stars and Promises concert. Peter Mayer and other incredible musicians go on this tour every year and, thankfully, they came to Tulsa each year. I have about 10 favorite songs he does…but since we are focusing on joy this Advent, I wanted to share Sing Joy with you. One of the reasons I love this song is because of the hope the words bring…in the cold and dark of our lives, we can sing joy because a promise has been given to us. We can endure, as Paul tells us in Colossians, because of the hope we have in Christ. Stop by my office sometime–I will gladly play you this song (and probably a few of my other favorites).

Sing Joy by Peter Mayer
These days of winter have come to bury you
No sign of spring no promise to carry you
No flowers blooming in your window sill
And the beat of your heart is too still…

Joy joy joy in the morning
Joy joy in the afternoon
Joy joy joy for the child is born
This night the promise is given to you

Come gather together you children who wander
Looking for dreams that the whole world has squandered
You’ve lost them you’ve sold them for pockets of gold
You long to come in from the cold… Oh sing

Joy joy joy in the morning
Joy joy in the afternoon
Joy joy joy for the child is born
This night the promise is given to you

Lying in the cradle no warrior no king of the land
Only a child would bring peace in the palm of his hand
Singing joy joy joy

Through trails and darkness fear and temptation
You look for deliverance and some revelation
With no song of spring you wait for the call
Could there be nothing at all… Oh sing joy

Joy joy joy in the morning
Joy joy in the afternoon
Joy joy joy for the child is born
This night the promise is given to you