Be Still, Advent Day 17: Fields of Joy

“I am sending you grain, new wine and olive oil,
enough to satisfy you fully;
never again will I make you
an object of scorn to the nations. Joel 2:19

Fields of Joy: Joel 2:18-32

The fields were empty, stripped bare by relentless swarms. The barns, once bursting with promise, now stood hollow and silent. The people whispered of the “northern army” as though it were the only story they’d ever known—a tale of what was lost and what might never return. Not a single sprout in sight. The barns are empty, the wells are low, and the people? Let’s just say they’re not exactly bursting with Christmas cheer. The locusts. Those pesky little critters devoured everything in sight, leaving the fields looking like a bad hair day.

Isn’t that our mistake today too — just as they did back in the book of Joel? We can’t help but glance backward at the “locust years.” Those times where everything seemed to go wrong?

But Advent reminds us that no matter how many “locusts” have visited our lives—missed opportunities, tough years, burnt cookies—God is in the business of restoring. “Fear not, O land; be glad and rejoice, for the Lord has done marvelous things!” (Joel 2:21). Advent is all about waiting with hope, and Joel gives us every reason to expect joy on the horizon.

“I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten” (Joel 2:25). Not just a patch job, but a full-on restoration. It’s not just about fixing what’s broken; it’s about bringing so much abundance that you almost forget the lean years.

Rain and Refreshment

“Be glad, O children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given the early rain for your vindication” (Joel 2:23). Early rain to soften the hard ground of our hearts—and maybe to wash away — even the burnt edges of the gingerbread house.

Advent is like those first drops of rain that hint at more to come. It’s the season of carolers at your door, candles in windows, and kids peeking under the tree. Joel’s promise reminds us that God’s goodness is already at work—even before we see the full harvest. It’s as if He’s saying, “Hold on, Christmas is coming, and it’s going to be good.”

It’s the season of playlists on repeat, twinkling lights on porches, and kids sneaking glances at Amazon tracking updates.

Watch for the Wonder

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh” (Joel 2:28). It’s a celebration so inclusive even the dog gets a party hat.

Advent reminds us to keep watch for the wonder. Maybe it’s not a choir of angels (though that would be cool), but a kind word from a stranger, a spontaneous snowstorm, or the way candlelight flickers during a quiet moment of prayer. God’s Spirit moves in big and small ways, and Advent is when we learn to pay attention.

Joy and Full Barns: Pass the Eggnog

When Joel talks about the wine, oil, and wheat overflowing (Joel 2:24), it’s hard not to think of Christmas dinner tables piled high with mashed potatoes, pies, and all the carbs your heart desires. Advent is a time to remember that God isn’t stingy. The same God who turned water into wine and fed 5,000 with a few loaves is ready to fill not just your barns, but your heart.

And then comes this gem: “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God” (Joel 2:26). Isn’t that what Advent is all about? Being satisfied—not in the “I found the perfect gift” way, but in the “Jesus is enough” way.

Light the Candles

Finally, Joel points to that big day: “The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes” (Joel 2:31). Okay, so it sounds a little dramatic, but Advent is full of drama too. We light candles against the long nights, we sing songs about stars guiding shepherds, and we wait for the One who turns all our darkness into light.

“And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Joel 2:32). That’s the heart of Christmas, isn’t it? God stepping into our mess, our locust-eaten years, and saying, “I’m here to make it all new.”

Wrapping It Up with a Bow

So this Advent, let Joel’s words carry you. Look at your “fields,” whatever they may be, and know that God’s rain is coming. Rejoice for what’s ahead, dream the dreams He’s stirring in your heart, and don’t forget to laugh at the locusts—they don’t get the final word.

Because in the end, Advent is all about joy. Joy in the waiting, joy in the promise, and joy in the One who makes all things new. So light the candles, sing the carols, and let your heart overflow. The barns are filling, the rain is falling, and the great and awesome day of the Lord is near.