Louise McGregor has volunteered with Habitat Ireland locally and globally, witnessing joy and impact first-hand. Read her Advent reflection below.
Joy is a sentiment often associated with Christmas and it can be experienced in many ways, from involvement in festive activities such as decorating the christmas tree, to hearing again the wonder of the Nativity Story, centred around the birth of Jesus, which the angels announced as “good news of great joy”.
But joy is not just found at Christmas. At Habitat ReStore, where I have worked as a volunteer over the past year, I have often marvelled at the joy on the faces of customers who have been able to buy an essential item of furniture at an affordable price, thanks to the generosity of others, who have donated goods in support of the circular economy.
I have also witnessed the joy of working together with staff and volunteers from a variety of backgrounds, where mutual support and encouragement are found in abundance.
Joy was at the centre of my trip to Malawi with Habitat in 2019, where our team worked alongside local people to build homes for two vulnerable families.
Firstly, it was such a joy and privilege to be part of a team from our local church working towards Habitat’s vision of bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope. Secondly, the joy and excitement of all those we encountered as part of the build was very moving and demonstrated that, when we all work together towards a common goal, by putting God’s love into action, we can experience that joy which is found in Luke 2 10-11 “but the angel said to them, “do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you. He is the Messiah, the Lord.”
Heavenly Father, thank you for the joy of the Christmas season. Thank you that you sent your Son into the world to save us and give us joy in you. Fill our hearts with the joy that comes with knowing your love. May we rejoice in the good news of salvation and share that joy with others during the season of advent. Amen.
