Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Phi 4:4 NIV)

The apostle St. Paul wrote this letter in prison. Yet it overflows with joy and love and exudes a profound peace and calm. The congregation in Philippi was small, but very close to the heart of the imprisoned missionary, its founder.

The life of Christians is no unbearable burden and unending sequence of calamities. On the contrary, it really is one of joy, praise and peace. It is as Dr. Luther writes: “A Christian’s heart is bedded on roses even while its under the cross.” And our Lord comforts his congregation and Church: You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy… and no one will take away your joy. (Joh 16:20-22 NIV).

So we Christians should not be grumpy and just down in the dumps. Even the poor, ill, worrying, tempted and dying are to look up, for their salvation is drawing near. That’s the reason for our joy and hope and lasting bliss. Even when the last trumpet sounds, we don’t need to forsake this joy and gladness for it is the sound of our final salvation. Joy will be carried on and up into the new world too. It is to persist in eternity – just that then it will be even more joyous and just perfect. Amen.

Rejoice, rejoice, believers, And let your lights appear; The evening is advancing, And darker night is near. The bridegroom is arising And soon is drawing nigh. Up, pray and watch and wrestle; At midnight comes the cry. (Laurentius Laurenti, 1700 tr Sarah Findlater 1854)

This is a rather free translation of Wilhelm Löhe’s devotion for Monday after the fourth Sunday in Advent. It is found on Pg. 29 in Lob sei Dir ewig, o Jesu!   (Eternal Praise to you o Jesus!) edited by A. Schuster and published in the Freimund Verlag, Neuendettelsau 1949.