The Daily Devotional
Sunday, December 14, 2025
Joy in a Groaning World
“As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness…” — 2 Timothy 4:6–8
“So teach us to count our days that we may gain a wise heart.” — Psalm 90:12
Introduction
The Third Sunday of Advent—Gaudete Sunday, the Sunday of Joy—invites us to rejoice because the Lord is near. Yet December 14 confronts us with history that feels heavy: the death of George Washington in 1799, the grief of Sandy Hook in 2012, and the first COVID-19 vaccinations in 2020 that marked a turning point in the world’s longing for healing. Today’s scriptures speak into this tension—teaching us to number our days with wisdom, to finish our race in faith, and to cling to a hope that outshines sorrow.
Reflection
Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 4 echo with the dignity of a leader who knows his work is done: “I have fought the good fight… I have finished the race… I have kept the faith.” George Washington, too, faced death with composure, trusting the legacy he had shaped to God and to the nation’s future. Though imperfect, his leadership reminds us that every earthly life—no matter how influential—is finite.
But history also brings darker reminders. The Sandy Hook tragedy remains a wound that has not fully healed. Like Rachel weeping in Jeremiah 31:15, the world groans with grief for children whose lives were stolen. And like the psalmist in Psalm 13, we ask, “How long, O Lord?” Advent joy does not ignore sorrow; it shines defiantly in spite of it. True joy is not the absence of grief—it is the presence of Christ in the midst of a world that breaks His heart even more than ours.
Yet December 14 also carries a whisper of healing: the first COVID-19 vaccines administered in 2020. As nurses rolled up their sleeves, the world saw a glimpse of restoration—a reminder that God works through science, caregivers, and the collective desire to protect others. It was a moment of hope made visible, a sign of the Spirit who intercedes “with sighs too deep for words” (Romans 8:26–27) and who leads humanity toward compassion and life.
A simple everyday image comes to mind: a nightlight shining in a dark hallway. It doesn’t eliminate the darkness, but it gives enough light to walk safely, enough assurance to keep moving. Advent joy is like that—it doesn’t erase the world’s brokenness, but it lights the path with the promise of the One who is coming to make all things new (Revelation 21:4).
Application
Today, let the candle of joy call you to three responses:
Live wisely—number your days, offering your life as a faithful witness in big and small ways.
Lament honestly—pray for children, schools, caregivers, and all who suffer violence, grief, or exhaustion.
Work for healing—support safety, compassion, and the common good in your community. Joy deepens when it is shared, protected, and lived out in love.
Conclusion
On this Third Sunday of Advent, we rejoice not because the world is whole, but because Christ is near. History reminds us of our fragility, Scripture anchors us in God’s faithfulness, and Advent teaches us to look for joy that shines in the dark—a joy rooted not in circumstances but in the coming King who promises resurrection, justice, and peace.
Prayer
Gracious Lord, as we honor this Third Sunday of Advent, teach us to rejoice with a heart that is honest, tender, and wise. Help us to finish our own race faithfully, to grieve with those who mourn, to intercede for children and all who are vulnerable, and to give thanks for those who bring healing and hope. Let Your joy rise within us—not as a denial of pain, but as a testimony that Your light is stronger than any darkness. Come, Lord Jesus, and make all things new. Amen.
Devotional by: Kenny Sallee, ThM — Deming, NM, USA
The Bible texts are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV)© 1989, 1993, the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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