The Color of Joy is Pink!

Discipleship Group Questions for December 12, 2004

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-6

Is. 35:1-6 The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, 2 it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God. 3 Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; 4 say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance; with divine retribution he will come to save you.” 5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. 6 Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy. Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.

James 5:7-10 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! 10 Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

Questions for Reflection:

1. An Advent tradition is to light the Advent Candle each of the 4 Sunday’s of Advent. On this Sunday i.e., the Third Sunday of Advent, we light the “pink” candle. The other three candles are “violet” in color. Why is this candle different? Ah! Remember that the four Advent Candles surround a fifth Candle – a white candle. This candle is lighted on Christmas Eve to indicate that Christ is about to be born. Christ is represented by the “white” candle. So the Advent season is “bounded” as it were by two colors – white and violet, but they in turn when “mixed” produce the “pink” candle of “joy.” Yes, this is the joy candle and it’s produced out of the mixing of the penitential spirit of Advent (represented by the violet candles) with the awe and wonder of the reality of Christ’s First coming – His first Advent (represented by the white candle). You see, Advent is a season that not only remembers Christ’s first coming but also anticipates with real excitement His Second Coming. Are you ready for His inevitable coming? Please discuss.
2. As we think about this the following verse comes to mind: Phil. 2:12 “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed — not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence — continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,” Are you doing anything to “work out” your salvation? Now in asking this question I’m not suggesting that the “works of the law” will save you but I am suggesting that “work” actually “doing your faith” is critical. It’s a terrible mistake to think that “faith alone” without any concomitant “works” will save you. “Faith” is a verb. It has to be done . . . not sat upon. Please discuss this.
3. Now look at the James passage. The Isaiah passage represents the “white” of Advent but the James passage represents the “violet” of Advent. Remember when these two are combined we get the “pink” of joy! Now let’s examine the “violet” of Advent – look at the James passage. We are being encouraged to “patient endurance and steadfastness.” When the Greek is translated literally we are being encouraged “to wait patiently and to resolve our hearts to be unchanging and firm!” It’s out of this that joy is born – can you see how? Please discuss.
4. The emotion of “joy” comes out of the mixing of two realities – deep reflection and repentance and sweet and certain anticipation of a most glorious happening – the Second Advent of Jesus Christ. How much “joy” do you have? There is more and more and more available to you. Do you want it – what will it take according to these passages to live a live permeated with joy?