Advent Day 21 – Joy – Youth Ministry

The Joy of Chasing Chickens
Luke 13:31-35
"How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!" (Luke 13:34)

Let’s talk about chickens. Have you ever tried to catch one? They’re fast, unpredictable, and hilariously stubborn. Now imagine being a mother hen trying to round up her chicks—fluffy little rebels scattering in every direction while you’re frantically clucking, “Get back here! I’m trying to save you!” That’s basically the image Jesus paints in Luke 13.
Jesus compares himself to a mother hen—of all things! Not a lion, not an eagle, but a hen. It’s a funny choice, but also a deeply comforting one. Hens are fiercely protective, ridiculously determined, and downright adorable in their awkwardness. They’ll fluff up their feathers and stare down a fox to protect their chicks, even if the chicks don’t realize the danger. Sound familiar? It’s a bit like youth ministry, where we’re constantly chasing after teenagers who seem to scatter the moment we have something important to share.
The joy of youth ministry is that it’s never boring. One minute, they’re arguing about pineapple on pizza; the next, they’re diving into deep conversations about life, faith, and whether the star of Bethlehem was actually a supernova. They might roll their eyes at your jokes, but they’re listening. (Mostly. Probably.) And like Jesus, we keep showing up, gathering them together, and loving them fiercely—awkward flapping and all.
Advent is the perfect season to celebrate the wild, beautiful chaos of youth ministry. Jesus’s desire to gather his people reflects God’s unshakable joy in us, even when we’re wandering off, doing our own thing. That same joy shows up in our young people—in their curiosity, their resilience, and their willingness to ask hard questions. It’s in their goofy moments and their quiet acts of kindness.
And here’s the thing: Joy is contagious. When young people experience the joy of being loved and accepted just as they are, they start to share it with others. Whether they’re serving at Haywood Street, writing cards for seniors, or turning a game of sardines into an existential metaphor (it happens), they’re living out the kind of joy that can change the world.
So, this Advent, let’s embrace the chicken chaos. Let’s laugh at the unexpected moments, celebrate the messy beauty of youth ministry, and remember that joy doesn’t come from having it all together. It comes from being gathered under the wings of a God who loves us, flailing and all.

Prayer: Mother Hen of Joy, thank you for chasing after us, even when we’re running in circles. We lift our young people, who bring laughter, energy, and chaos into our lives. Help us embrace the joy they share and teach us to love them as fiercely as you love us. Give them courage to be themselves and let them find delight in being part of your big, feathery family. We pray for the mentors, youth leaders, and anyone brave enough to herd teenagers, that they may have patience, humor, and maybe a snack stash for emergencies. May we all flap awkwardly toward your joy, this Advent season and beyond. In the name of Jesus, the ultimate Chicken Whisperer, we pray. Amen.

Action: Play some games this weekend. Christmas isn’t about the things we must do but about the joy we get to share with each other. The Christ Child will come whether we’re ready or not. So, make his entrance a little more fun and lighthearted.