Embracing the Joy of Christ This Advent Season

 

Summary

In this Advent season, we gather to celebrate the joy that Christ brings into the world. As we light the fourth candle of Advent, the candle of joy, we are reminded of the angels' proclamation to the shepherds: "Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people." This joy is not just a fleeting emotion but a profound sense of peace and hope that transcends our circumstances. It is a joy that fills our hearts and overflows to others, a joy that is rooted in the presence of Emmanuel, God with us.

As we reflect on the story of Mary, we see a young woman who was chosen to bear the Son of God. Despite the challenges and uncertainties she faced, Mary embraced the joy of God's promise. Her response to the angel's message was one of faith and surrender: "I am the Lord's servant. May your word to me be fulfilled." This joy was not dependent on an easy path but was a deep-seated assurance of God's presence and purpose in her life.

In our own lives, we experience different kinds of waiting. Some waiting is filled with anticipation and hope, like the excitement of expecting a new child. Other times, waiting can be difficult and filled with uncertainty, as we face challenges beyond our control. Yet, in all these seasons, we are reminded that we are not alone. The story of Advent is a story of waiting and longing, but it is also a story of God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises.

The joy of Christmas is not merely about happiness but about a deeper understanding of God's love and presence in our lives. It is a joy that sustains us through trials and tribulations, a joy that is rooted in the hope of Christ's coming. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us embrace this joy and share it with those around us, proclaiming the good news of great joy to the world.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Joy of Advent: The Advent season invites us to reflect on the joy that Christ brings into our lives. This joy is not just an emotion but a profound assurance of God's presence and love, which fills our hearts and overflows to others. [16:37]

2. Mary's Faithful Response: Mary's response to the angel's message exemplifies faith and surrender. Despite the challenges she faced, she embraced the joy of God's promise, reminding us that true joy is rooted in trust and obedience to God's will. [42:26]

3. Waiting with Hope: In our lives, we experience different kinds of waiting, some filled with anticipation and others with uncertainty. Yet, in all these seasons, we are reminded that we are not alone, and God's faithfulness sustains us through our waiting. [39:01]

4. Joy Beyond Circumstances: The joy of Christmas is not dependent on our circumstances but is a deeper understanding of God's love and presence. It is a joy that sustains us through trials and tribulations, rooted in the hope of Christ's coming. [49:28]

5. Proclaiming the Good News: As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we are called to embrace and share the joy of Christ with those around us. This joy is a testament to the good news of great joy that the Savior has come into the world. [56:29]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [16:37] - Lighting the Candle of Joy
- [35:30] - Generosity and Giving
- [39:01] - Different Types of Waiting
- [41:13] - Israel's Longing and God's Promise
- [42:26] - The Annunciation to Mary
- [43:50] - Gifts of Advent: Joy
- [45:55] - Emmanuel: God With Us
- [47:58] - The Miracle of Jesus' Birth
- [49:28] - Joy vs. Happiness
- [50:31] - Mary's Challenges and Joy
- [51:33] - The Story Behind "I Heard the Bells"
- [54:06] - Longfellow's Journey Through Grief
- [54:58] - The Good News of Christmas
- [56:29] - Embracing and Sharing Joy

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Joy of Advent

Bible Reading:
1. Luke 2:10-11 - "But the angel said to them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.'"
2. Luke 1:26-38 - The Annunciation to Mary, where the angel Gabriel tells Mary she will bear the Son of God.

Observation Questions:
1. What message did the angels deliver to the shepherds, and how is it described as bringing joy? ([16:37])
2. How did Mary respond to the angel Gabriel's announcement, and what does this reveal about her character? ([42:26])
3. What are the different types of waiting mentioned in the sermon, and how do they relate to the Advent season? ([39:01])
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between joy and happiness, particularly in the context of the Christmas story? ([49:28])

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the joy proclaimed by the angels differ from the joy we often seek in our daily lives? What makes it profound and lasting? ([16:37])
2. In what ways does Mary's response to the angel's message exemplify faith and surrender? How can this be a model for us? ([42:26])
3. How does the concept of waiting with hope apply to the challenges we face today? What role does faith play in this waiting? ([39:01])
4. Why is it important to understand the joy of Christmas as being beyond our circumstances? How does this perspective help us during difficult times? ([49:28])

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced joy that was not dependent on your circumstances. How did that experience shape your understanding of joy? ([49:28])
2. How can you, like Mary, embrace God's promises in your life despite uncertainties or challenges? What steps can you take to strengthen your faith and surrender? ([42:26])
3. Identify a situation in your life where you are currently waiting. How can you find hope and assurance in God's faithfulness during this time? ([39:01])
4. In what ways can you share the joy of Christ with those around you this Advent season? Consider specific actions or words that could bring joy to others. ([16:37])
5. How can you cultivate a deeper understanding of God's love and presence in your life, especially during trials? What practices or habits might help you focus on this joy? ([49:28])
6. Think of someone in your life who might be struggling with waiting or uncertainty. How can you support them and remind them of God's faithfulness? ([39:01])
7. As you prepare to celebrate Christmas, what are some practical ways you can proclaim the good news of great joy to those around you? ([56:29])

Devotional

Day 1: Joy as Assurance of God's Presence
In the Advent season, we are invited to reflect on the joy that Christ brings into our lives. This joy is not merely an emotion but a profound assurance of God's presence and love, which fills our hearts and overflows to others. The lighting of the fourth candle of Advent, the candle of joy, reminds us of the angels' proclamation to the shepherds: "Do not be afraid, for see, I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people." This joy transcends our circumstances, offering a deep sense of peace and hope. It is rooted in the presence of Emmanuel, God with us, and is meant to be shared with those around us. [16:37]

"Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls." (1 Peter 1:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively share the joy of Christ's presence with someone in your life today, especially someone who may be struggling to find joy?


Day 2: Embracing God's Promise with Faith
Mary's response to the angel's message exemplifies faith and surrender. Despite the challenges and uncertainties she faced, Mary embraced the joy of God's promise. Her response, "I am the Lord's servant. May your word to me be fulfilled," shows a deep-seated assurance of God's presence and purpose in her life. This joy was not dependent on an easy path but was rooted in trust and obedience to God's will. In our own lives, we are called to embrace God's promises with the same faith and surrender, trusting that His plans for us are good, even when the path is difficult. [42:26]

"And Mary said, 'Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.' And the angel departed from her." (Luke 1:38, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to God's will? What would it look like to fully trust and embrace His promise in that area today?


Day 3: Hope in Seasons of Waiting
In our lives, we experience different kinds of waiting, some filled with anticipation and others with uncertainty. Yet, in all these seasons, we are reminded that we are not alone. The story of Advent is a story of waiting and longing, but it is also a story of God's faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises. As we wait, we are sustained by the hope that God is with us, working in our lives even when we cannot see it. This hope gives us the strength to endure and the assurance that God's timing is perfect. [39:01]

"But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." (Romans 8:25, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a situation in your life where you are currently waiting. How can you cultivate a sense of hope and trust in God's faithfulness during this time?


Day 4: Joy Beyond Circumstances
The joy of Christmas is not dependent on our circumstances but is a deeper understanding of God's love and presence. It is a joy that sustains us through trials and tribulations, rooted in the hope of Christ's coming. This joy is not fleeting but is a constant source of strength and encouragement, reminding us that we are loved and cared for by a faithful God. As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, let us embrace this joy and allow it to transform our perspective, even in the midst of challenges. [49:28]

"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from your current circumstances to the deeper joy found in God's love and presence? What practical steps can you take to cultivate this joy daily?


Day 5: Proclaiming the Good News
As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, we are called to embrace and share the joy of Christ with those around us. This joy is a testament to the good news of great joy that the Savior has come into the world. By proclaiming this good news, we become vessels of God's love and hope, bringing light to those in darkness. Let us be intentional in sharing the joy of Christ, not only through our words but also through our actions, as we reflect His love to the world. [56:29]

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs to hear the good news of Christ's love and joy? How can you intentionally share this message with them today, both in word and deed?

Quotes


In the Advent season, we are drawn into this story of waiting, a story that resonates with the waitings and longings that we all carry at one time or another. For the children of Israel, those people, they had been waiting for generations. [00:40:16] (24 seconds)


It had been four hundred years that for the most part, at least they felt, that God had been silenced. Since the book of Malachi, the last book in the Old Testament had been written, it had been four hundred years. [00:40:40] (14 seconds)


But here in this story, here in this advent, waiting, God steps in. God steps in in this young woman from Nazareth. So that is our scripture reading this morning, is we hear the story of Christmas. [00:41:41] (23 seconds)


The angel went to her and said, greetings you who are highly favored. The Lord is with you. Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, do not be afraid, Mary. [00:42:38] (20 seconds)


I am the Lord's servant, Mary answered. May your word to me be fulfilled. And then the angel left her. This is the word of God for we, the people of God. Thanks be to God. [00:43:33] (16 seconds)


One of the things that we've talked about with Christmas Presents is this picture of Emmanuel, God with us. And I think it's very interesting that when the angel comes to Mary, you know, the first thing she says is, I'm going to marry you. [00:44:19] (15 seconds)


This story, the Christmas story, is centered around this child that was born, Jesus. And so, to marry, the announcement of a child, meant something deeply personal, a miraculous event that would change her life forever. [00:45:55] (20 seconds)


But for Mary, for Israel, it was for Mary. And for us, this birth of Jesus represents God breaking into our waiting, our longing, and our hopelessness to bring joy and hope. [00:48:32] (18 seconds)


This morning, we lit the candle. This sacred baby will bring joy, joy. In the Christian faith, joy is different and understood different than oftentimes the world displays to us. [00:48:59] (19 seconds)


Joy is this peace that passes understanding. Understanding the hope that abides, the love that we experienced. And through that, we have the gift of joy. Now, Mary's joy, remember, Mary's joy didn't come from an easy road ahead. [00:49:55] (22 seconds)


She was going to have the challenge of raising now the son of God. And also, we know she's going to face the heartbreak of watching her son suffer and die. Yet through this, Mary experienced. The gift of joy. [00:50:39] (23 seconds)


Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Dec 23, 2024. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?