Christ: The Treasure of Our HeartsSample

The purpose of Advent is to remind us that we are living in the time after Christ’s first coming and before His second coming. For His first coming, the angel declared “good news of great joy.” The source of this joy is the birth of “a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Jesus’ coming as our Savior and Messiah is the source of lasting joy that no one can take from us—our eternal treasure. I appreciate the words of C.S. Lewis, who originally thought he would find joy in “a place; instead, I found it to be a Person." Our joy is not based upon our emotions or circumstances but upon the life and person of Jesus.

In this passage, along with others, Jesus describes how He wants us to have joy. How wondrous that He cares so deeply about us that He desires us to be full of joy. Here, Jesus is giving us a way to increase our joy by asking in His name and confidently believing that we will receive. What does it mean to ask in His name? Rather than asking in our own name or righteousness, we are to ask in His name and His righteousness. When asking in His name, we are uniting ourselves with Christ’s being—reflecting His character, His love, His Heart, His mission, and His complete surrender to the will of the Father. Then, after asking, we will receive and be filled with joy, trusting that God is answering our prayers.

Advent not only celebrates the joy that we have now in Christ but also calls us to look forward to the greater joy yet coming, the joy unspeakable when Christ returns: “But I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.” Here again, the person of Christ is the source of our joy. How much joy will fill the hearts of believers and all creation when Christ returns with glory and power! All creation anticipates the day it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay. What a Savior we serve who desires us to be filled with joy.

Prayer

Almighty God, you have promised to hear the petitions of those who ask in the Name of your Son: Mercifully incline your ear to us as we make our prayers and supplications to you,and grant that what we ask faithfully, according to your will, we may obtain effectually, for the relief of our necessities and the setting forth of your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Rev. Marty O'Rourke, D.Min., serves as rector for Church of the Messiah, an Anglican community in Chesapeake, Virginia.