The Joy of the Soul by Rev. Teresa Stuefloten, M. Div. 12/14/2025

Today I am speaking about The Joy of the Soul.

Merriam Webster defines joy as, “a feeling of great happiness or pleasure: delight, a state of great happiness: bliss”

Spiritually, joy can be seen as a quality of the soul, grounded in faith in God’s presence, even in challenging times. A sense of closeness to God elicits the joy of the soul. We are truly one with God, living, moving and having our being in God. In meditation God’s presence may be felt within, in the heart, in the crown of the head, or in the entire body and beyond the physical body. The sense of oneness with God feels so joyful. The heart opens and joy flows forth. The joyful experience of the presence of the Divine is one of the benefits of regular meditation. Experiencing the joy of the soul daily is pure bliss!

Psalm 16:11 says, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

Joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “… the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

“Joy is an essential spiritual practice growing out of faith, grace, gratitude, hope, and love. It is the pure and simple delight in being alive. Joy is our elated response to feelings of happiness, experiences of pleasure, and awareness of abundance. It is also the deep satisfaction we know when we are able to serve others and be glad for their good fortune.” (spiritualityandpractice.com)

We can find joy in our everyday life if we pay attention. Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Living mindfully, fully present in each moment allows us to be present to the joys of our everyday life.

Monday morning of this past week I found myself feeling such joy watching a squirrel outside on my patio eating the sunflower seeds I put out, holding each seed in his tiny paws, nibbling quickly and reaching for another seed. Another morning I counted at least 25 doves on my patio eating the wild bird seed, as well as some robins, and some little wrens. Sometimes there is the big blue jay and the large crows. Nature holds many joys.

I always buy amaryllis bulbs in the December holiday season. I find such joy and delight as large leaves emerge from the bulb and then it sends up a tall stalk, sometimes two, which then develops large buds that open into the most spectacular large trumpet shaped flowers in brilliant colors! Nature provides such wonderful joy if we will just slow down, notice and pay attention.

Talking a mindful walk in nature can elicit joy. Isaiah 55:12 says, “For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.”

My friend, Chuck Sandy, an American who lives in Japan with his family, wrote a book called “Walking in the Light, A 28 Day Pilgrimage for Advent, or Any Time.” When we first got the book it was not Advent season, but Rev. Mark and I read the book a day at a time and truly enjoyed the reflections and insights. This year, now that Rev Mark has passed, I am reading the book by myself for Advent and enjoying the journey. I often look at Rev. Mark’s photo and read the day’s message to him. He always liked me to read to him when he was present here in the body. Chuck has posted on Facebook inviting others to take the Advent journey with him this year.

Chuck’s reflection for the first Thursday of Advent is titled,

“Do Something to Make the World Hospitable Again.” He says,

“There are times when it’s especially important to interrupt the narrative of despair. Today has been such a day. That’s why I want to tell you a story.

Not long ago I was grocery shopping with my parents. On the drive in we heard devastating news. There’d been another mass shooting. My father switches the radio off and we ride along in silence. What is there to say? A few minutes later, we’re getting out of the car in front of the supermarket when this woman comes rushing over with her arms flung open wide. “Oh, my God!” she cries out. “It’s so good to see you!” Not missing a beat. My mother smiles her warmest smile and says, “It’s so good to see you, too!” Then they hug as if they’re long-lost sisters.

After a while, the woman steps back, looks at my mother, and says, “I really needed that. Thank you.” My mother smiles and says, “Me, too. Thank you.” They exchange a few more words and then the woman’s gone. “Who was that?” I ask, thinking this was someone from my parents’ church or maybe some distant cousin. “I have no idea.” says my mother, “but it seemed like she really needed a hug, so why not?” Yes, why not? In dangerous times, every hug matters.

We cannot sit and wait for light to return to the world. In the darkest days of winter, we must provide light for one another. As Parker Palmer writes, A stranger’s act of kindness can make the world hospitable again.”

Do that. (End of quote)

Isn’t that wonderful how Chuck’s mother responded lovingly with the joy of the soul? She didn’t need to know who this woman was to be willing to bring joy into her life. She provided the joy of connection that this stranger was seeking.

This story reminded me of Helen, a woman in my exercise class. She is a strong and spunky 95 year old! Her husband died about 2 weeks after my husband, Rev. Mark, died in October of 2024. I would sometimes talk to Helen in class and I knew we were of different political parties. One of us would ask the other, “How are you doing?,” knowing that we had both lost our husbands in the same month. After a few months I felt an inner message to give her a hug. I asked if she would like a hug and she enthusiastically responded, “Yes!” We hugged a warm hug and we both smiled from ear to ear! From then on I have hugged Helen every exercise class, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, every week. She looks for me, and when she sees me coming she has a big smile! We hug from the heart and the soul, sharing love and joy with one another. Sometimes we talk about how lucky we were to have husbands who really loved us. And last week she mentioned that even though we miss them so much, it’s good that our husbands are no longer suffering physically. A joyful and supportive relationship has developed from the offer of a hug. That’s the joy of the soul.

Proverbs 17:22 says, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”

Helping others is a way to bring joy to someone else. But did you know that when you help others you are also helping yourself? Your brain releases feel-good chemicals like serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin when you help someone else. These chemicals enhance your mood, memory and resilience, so you feel happier. Helping others actually makes us feel good.

We need connection with others. So reach out and call a friend. Smile at a stranger. Hold the door open for someone, especially at a coffee shop where people are often carrying multiple drinks. Let someone go ahead of you on the freeway, making room for them to merge easily.

Helping others makes us feel connected, needed, effective, generous, and gives a sense of meaning and purpose to our life.

I have made friends with some of the people in my exercise classes. We use chairs in part of each class, so whoever gets there first will get the chairs for the others. It feels so good when I am running later than usual to arrive to a chair set out for me by a friend. And it feels good to do the same for the others when they are arriving close to the start of the class. It’s a simple kindness that brings joy into another person’s day.

The Christmas story of the birth of Christ Jesus contains many joys. There is first the birth of an enlightened soul into the physical world, Christ Jesus, the newborn babe, a manifestation of Divine Love, who is to bring the teachings of Divine Love to the humanity. His birth is a joy for his mother, Mary, and for us.

Then there are the shepherds in the fields close by watching their flocks, who receive the news of the Divine birth from an angel who tells them, “Do not be afraid; for behold I bring you glad tidings of great joy, which will be to all the world. For this day is born to you in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10-11 The shepherds did go to find the babe and I’m sure they were filled with joy.

And lastly, there are the Magi, the wise men who came from the East because they had seen his star in the East.. “When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.” Matthew 2:10 They followed the star to find the house where Mary and Joseph and the infant Christ Jesus were staying, and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. They honored the birth of Divine Love in this awakened soul who had come to the Earth plane to help lift the consciousness of humanity.

Whether the story of the birth of Christ Jesus is historically accurate and true is not important. What is important is that the joy of the Christ consciousness can be born in each of us as we make our spiritual practice the focus of our life. Christ Jesus came to teach us how to live a life that allows the Christ consciousness to blossom in us. He taught that love is the answer to the development of the highest consciousness.

Christ Jesus gave only two commandments, “Love the Lord your God with all of your heart and with all your soul and with all your might and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. And the second is like to it, Love your neighbor as yourself.” Matthew 22:37-39

Christ Jesus command to “love one another” appears 11 times in the Bible. In John 13:34, Christ Jesus says, “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”

I’m sure that the love that Christ Jesus gave to his disciples was pure joy for them. How else could they drop the life they had and follow him? Their relationship was heart to heart, soul to soul, pure joy. In his guidance and his very presence their souls were transformed. He lifted them in consciousness to experience the Christ consciousness. That is the experience of the pure joy of the soul.

Christ Jesus told his disciples, “I have spoken these things to you that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15:11

This holiday time of the year is a time of joyful celebration. And Christ Jesus also loved to celebrate. I love Chuck’s description of Jesus’ joy in celebration in his story for the 2nd Thursday of Advent, titled, “Throw a Party, Gladden Some Hearts.” Chuck says:

“Jesus loved a good party. He ate and drank his way through the gospels, making His table a place of radical welcome and any party He was at was a feast of joy and celebration. More wine? Sure, let me take care of that. Not enough food? Look again. Dinner with you? See you tonight. I know where you live.

Weddings, parties with friends, meals shared in the good company of the sort of people others shunned, family gatherings, whatever: Jesus was there to enjoy himself and provide the entertainment. Hey, did I tell you the one about the two brothers? Have you heard the one about the Great Banquet? I’ve got some stories to tell you, but first go get some more people. The ones that were invited haven’t turned up, and I’ve ordered the full course.

No, you take my place. I’ll sit over there. This is fine. What’s the kingdom of God like? It’s a party that everyone’s welcome to join. Pass the bread, would you? Stories get told, laughter gets shared, strangers become friends, love deepens, and somewhere between the breaking of the bread and the last spoonful of dessert wine, a light gets lit that sees you all through the dark nights.

Life’s a banquet if you make it one, and everyone’s welcome. Advent is a great time to throw a party and celebrate the coming Light.

Go ahead and do that. Gladden some hearts.” (End of quote)

I love how Chuck makes Jesus so relatable in his human form. He is warm, kind, welcoming, loving and joyful. He welcomes all to his celebration of life!

So what will you do this holiday season to bring joy to someone’s heart? And what will you do to bring joy to your own heart?

Notice the blessings in your everyday life, reasons to feel joyful and grateful. Take care of yourself, getting enough rest and eating enough healthy food to be well. Give yourself permission to say no to requests that will leave you feeling stressed. Make time for meditation each day to bring the joy of your soul into focus. Do something to bring joy to someone else each day, even just a smile at a stranger. Give someone a compliment. Give someone a hug. Tell someone you love them. Sing out loud to some holiday music. What else can you think of?

We are meant to experience the joy of the soul in this Earth life.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

And Ecclesiastes 9:7 says, “Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.“

So take care of yourself, meditate, and enjoy all of the joys of the holiday season!