Moon Joy

Photo from NASA (Unsplash)

From lift-off to splash-down, the 10-day mission of Artemis II around the moon and back captivated and encouraged the world. A single hashtag captured the global sentiment: #moonjoy.

And it flowed from the astronauts themselves. As Ashley Hales wrote for Christianity Today, “From doing group hugs and working while a floating jar of Nutella stole the spotlight to wearing eclipse sunglasses like ’80s kids and recreating the Full House TV show intro, the four astronauts were full of joy.”

She writes:

During the week of the Artemis II mission, what was happening around the moon and what was happening in our earth-bound politics was a study in contrasts.... [Victor] Glover, a Christian and Integrity’s pilot, told those back on Earth, “I can really see Earth as one thing.” He continued, “When I read the Bible and I look at all of the amazing things that were done for us, who were created…. You are special in all of this emptiness. … We are the same thing, and… we’ve got to get through this together.”

Fellow astronaut Christina Koch spoke about how her understanding of what it means to be a “crew” had grown: 

A crew is a group that is in it all the time no matter what, that is stroking together… with the same purpose, that is willing to sacrifice silently for each other, that gives grace, that holds accountable. A crew has the same cares and the same needs, and a crew is inescapably, beautifully, dutifully linked.

But does the church lead the way on planet Earth—as a crew, being marked by such joy? Does it even know how?

Kezia Martin, writing in a post for the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity, referred to NASA’s “billion-dollar biscuit break.” When the crew was the furthest humans have ever been from Earth, they had just 40 minutes to capture critical data. 

They began by eating cookies. Martin notes: “Surely this was the time to get on with the job? Tens of thousands of people involved, years in the making, an estimated $39bn. Yet they took a moment for fun.”

In reality, this was the crew’s pre-determined approach to work. As astronaut Jeremy Hansen explained: “We have a term we coined a long time ago: the ‘joy train.’ There are many times we’re not on the joy train, but we’re committed to getting back on.”

Martin adds:

Imagine being stuck in a space-going campervan with three colleagues for 10 days. I’d lose my smile fast. But in that capsule, the crew hunted Easter eggs, ate “Orbit” chewing gum, and made spoof videos.

You and I may not be on a lunar voyage, but we have a mission as transcendent as Artemis II’s. Whether we’re on Zoom, caring for family, or fixing pipes, we are part of a history-defining team. The head of the cosmos says we’re to be salt and light in the world (John 15:13–14). Christians are boots on the ground, pointing to God’s new creation with faith, hope and love.

Like a teaspoon of salt or a tea-light, the good news is, a little goes a long way. When work feels tough, when our crew has different priorities or difficult attitudes, it’s then that small moments of joy make a big difference.

She ends by noting:

Jesus’ mission was on an Interstellar scale—“save humanity in three years.” But he too had time for joy. He BBQed, celebrated weddings, and was a comedic storyteller—imagine walking around with a plank in your eye (Matthew 7:3–5)! His arrival was announced as “good news of great joy” (Luke 2:10). Through his life and resurrection, Jesus fulfilled his destiny as a joy bringer. Now we’re invited to join him.

Yes, we are.

So, here’s to more #moonjoy, but brought down to planet Earth, and spread around through the church in the name of Jesus.

James Emery White

Sources

Kezia Martin, “NASA’s Billion-Dollar Biscuit Break,” LICC, April 15, 2026, read online.

Ashley Hales, “Artemis II Showed Us What Integrity Looks Like,” Christianity Today, April 17, 2026, read online.