This week we dive into the idea of joy during the Advent season, but not the kind of joy we usually think of—like happiness or bliss. Instead, it’s about a deeper, more soul-level joy that comes even in the middle of hard times. Pastor Cory looks at the Christmas story and points out how Mary and Joseph’s journey was full of struggle—oppression, shame, and even rejection. Yet, in the middle of all that, there was this announcement of "good news" that brought hope.

The message really challenges us to see joy differently. It’s not about avoiding pain or pretending life is perfect—it’s about finding God’s presence right there in the mess of it all. Whether it’s through ancient traditions, like the psalms and teachings of the Jewish people, or through the story of Jesus as Emmanuel, “God with us,” joy is something we learn through shared struggles and solidarity.