Joy in a Season of Glory
“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.’”
—Luke 2:10 (NIV)
Joy is the theme of this seventeenth day of Advent, and yet for many of us, joy may feel elusive. The season that promises warmth, celebration, and togetherness often delivers stress, exhaustion, and unmet expectations. And, for many of us, grading.
The gatherings we attend can be tinged with tension. The gifts we give and receive can feel transactional. Even the sacred rhythms of worship services, candlelight vigils, and carols can feel like one more thing to manage in a crowded calendar. It’s a strange irony. We are surrounded by signs of glory, and yet we might feel anything but joyful.
In Luke 2, the shepherds were doing what shepherds do, watching their flocks, likely in the quiet and darkness of night. Suddenly, the sky erupted with light, and the glory of the Lord surrounded them. And their first response was not awe or peace, much less joy. It was fear.
When the divine breaks into our ordinary lives, it can be overwhelming. God is not tame. He does not conform to our schedules or expectations. When His glory shows up whether in a blazing sky or in the quiet conviction of our hearts, it can unsettle us, even terrify us.
So, the angel’s first words are not a command to rejoice, but a reassurance: “Do not be afraid.”
We find the beginnings of joy, not in the absence of fear, but in the presence of a God who meets us in that fear. The angel doesn’t dismiss the shepherds’ fear as irrational. He acknowledges it and then speaks into it: “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”
And what is this good news? Not a political victory or a new philosophy. The good news is a newborn baby. Fragile, vulnerable, and dependent. The Messiah, the Lord, lying in a manger.
This is the paradox of Christmas. God enters creation not with thunder, but with cries. Not in majesty, but in humility. Not in power, but in vulnerability.
And I think this is where joy might take hold in us. Rather than finding joy in the perfection of our holiday plans, we find joy in the imperfection of a manger. Not in the grandeur of our celebrations, but in the truth that God is with us. Emmanuel.
We carry many burdens this season. The weight of responsibilities, the pressure to perform, the desire to make this time meaningful for our families, students, and communities. It’s easy to feel like joy is something we must manufacture, earn, or create.
But joy is a gift. It is not the result of our efforts, but the response to God’s presence. So, if you find yourself anxious, weary, or afraid this Advent, take heart. You are not alone. The shepherds were also afraid.
Admittedly, there have been times when I have felt overwhelmed, or underwhelmed, by this season. If these feelings creep in this year, I will remind myself of the second chapter of Luke and that joy is not found in the glitter of the season but in the glory of a God who draws near. Joy is the Creator of the Universe, lying in an animal’s feeding trough, come to save us.
Guided Reflection
In what ways do the pressures of the holiday season distract you from the joy of Christ’s presence?
How might you make space this Advent to receive the “good news of great joy” with a heart that is not afraid?
About the Author
Jeremy Counseller, J.D.
Dean and Abner V. McCall Chair of Evidence Law, Baylor Law School
Dean Jeremy Counseller, MBA ’00, JD ’00, has served as a member of Baylor Law School’s faculty since 2003. Dean Counseller assumed the deanship on July 1, 2024. An accomplished Baylor Lawyer, he graduated with honors from Baylor Law School in 2000. He was actively involved in the Baylor Law Review, the Order of the Barristers, and the interscholastic moot court and mock trial teams. In addition to his law degree, he earned an MBA from Baylor’s Hankamer School of Business and graduated summa cum laude with a BA from Stephen F. Austin State University.
After completing law school, Dean Counseller served as a law clerk for the Honorable Reynaldo G. Garza of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. As an associate in the trial section, he joined the private practice at Bracewell & Patterson, LLP (now Bracewell, LLP) in Houston, Texas. Additionally, Dean Counseller worked as an Assistant Criminal District Attorney in McLennan County, Texas, where he prosecuted misdemeanors and felonies.
Dean Counseller teaches Civil Procedure and served for two decades on Baylor Law’s Practice Court Program faculty. He has authored articles and presented papers on various evidentiary and procedural issues.