Third Sunday in Advent 2024

I like to distinguish between the words joy, happiness, and pleasure. The three words can be related. And depending on how you define each word they may have a lot in common. But by distinguishing them, I think it is possible to have a deep-seated joy whether or not you are particularly happy at the moment. The same thing can be said in relationship to pleasure. Joy is not dependent upon having pleasure. Biblically, we are commanded to rejoice. We are not commanded or promised that we can always be happy in this age. And we are even warned against seeking pleasure all the time...