Feasting on Joy

By: Shara Garcia

“Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” -Nehemiah 8:10

Being told not to mourn when you're deep in grief might make you want to throw a punch, not a party. But what if true strength comes from celebrating God’s promises, even in the hardest times?

About the Scripture

I don’t know about you, but being told to “cheer up” when I’m clearly not feeling that way never sits well with me. At first glance, it might seem like Nehemiah is doing just that when he tells the Israelites, “Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” But Nehemiah isn’t asking them to suppress their emotions or fake their way to happiness by conjuring up artificial strength. Instead, he’s pointing them to the source of true, lasting strength—the joy of the Lord.

This moment took place at the start of the Feast of Tabernacles, a time meant for celebration. Yet the Israelites were overwhelmed with grief. Isn’t it ironic how we often hear “happy holidays” even when the circumstances feel anything but happy? Nehemiah, however, didn’t just suggest celebration; he commanded it. He instructed them to stop grieving and embrace the Feast. Why? Because he understood that celebrating God’s fulfilled promises among His people would spark a joy strong enough to sustain them through their sorrow.

My Story

What were we supposed to do for eight agonizing hours while our precious four-month-old underwent open-heart surgery? Waiting felt unbearable, anxiety seemed inevitable, and crying hysterically felt like the only predictable outcome. My husband and I were out of options for how to cope with what felt like the scariest, most uncertain hours of our lives. If someone like Nehemiah had told me to celebrate a holiday during that time, I would’ve rolled my eyes and said, “Yeah, right. What’s the point?”

But instead of Nehemiah, we had the Wub family, the Coletrain family, the Norton family, and so many others from our church community orchestrating a different kind of celebration for us. During those hours, when laughter and smiles felt impossible for me to muster, God’s people stepped in to provide them.

On the side of the children’s hospital, our community turned the waiting area into a tailgate—complete with lawn chairs, board games, tri-tip, and freshly brewed coffee from a percolator. It looked more like the parking lot of a sporting event than a hospital, but that was the point. Just like Nehemiah, our community reminded us that when the people of God come together to celebrate the promises of God (and maybe share some good food), joy strong enough to sustain us through sorrow takes root. 

By no means am I suggesting you need to scour Pinterest for the perfect party in search of strength-filled joy. If you had been there with me, you would’ve seen a mix of board games and tears, coffee and candy, and, most importantly, countless prayers. What I needed most in those moments were words of encouragement and reminders of God’s promises, even more than laughter. The joy that comes from the Lord isn’t found in outward displays, but in an inner openness to rejoice in Him who is good, even when circumstances don’t seem good.

Reflection

In moments of deep sorrow or overwhelming uncertainty, joy can feel like the farthest thing from reach. But Nehemiah’s words—and my own experience—remind me that joy isn’t something we muster up on our own. It’s a gift that flows from God’s promises, often delivered through His people. Whether it’s a feast in ancient Israel or a makeshift tailgate outside a hospital, God uses community to remind us of His faithfulness and to carry us through our pain. Joy doesn’t erase grief, but it strengthens us in the midst of it, proving that even in the darkest hours, God’s presence is near, and His promises are true.

Invitation

While we may not be commanded to wear an ugly Christmas sweater, bake cookies, or decorate a tree, we are invited into a season of celebration. It’s a time to celebrate the “good news that will cause great joy for all people: a Savior has been born.” Perhaps, in celebrating God’s fulfilled promise of a Savior, we discover the joy that strengthens us through our sorrows.

I fully understand that celebrating may look different for each of us this year, and that’s okay. There’s no “right” way to do it, no Hallmark standard to live up to. What matters is a heart open to celebrating the birth of our Savior. I invite you to take a moment to reflect—what would it look like for you to pause and consider God’s promises and His presence this Christmas season? 

Prayer

God, for some of us, celebrating this Christmas season feels like the last thing on our minds. Life already feels overwhelming, and the idea of celebrating can seem challenging. But I thank You that in Your kingdom, celebration is not a burden, but a blessing. We celebrate the birth of Your Son, our Savior, and the way His birth changes our story by bringing hope in the midst of sorrow. We cling to You this season, seeking strength-filled joy.

Shara is a SoCal mother to three littles, pastor’s wife, youth pastor, and heart warrior mama. She understands the importance of biblical encouragement; especially when her third child was born with a complex CHD requiring open heart surgery. She volunteers in obedience to God's call to comfort others "with the comfort we ourselves received from God."