Finding Joy in Connection During Advent
Summary
The sermon delivered on December 10, 2023, at the Contemporary Worship Service, focuses on the theme of finding joy in connection, particularly during the Advent season. The pastor draws from the biblical narrative of Mary and Elizabeth, two women from the Gospel of Luke, who find solace and joy in their shared experiences of divine intervention and miraculous pregnancies. Despite their differences in age and societal status, their connection becomes a source of comfort and joy, transcending their individual uncertainties and fears.
The pastor emphasizes the importance of expanding our circles of connection and recognizing that joy is not a solitary experience but one that is created and shared within a community. By celebrating the joy of others and allowing others to celebrate with us, we can find joy even in a weary world. The congregation is encouraged to act on this message by writing notes of love and hope to others, fostering connections that can make the weary world rejoice.
The sermon also touches on the concept of the Incarnation, describing it as God's assurance of care and shared human experience. The pastor calls on the community of faith to embrace the Incarnation by committing to walk with others in their joys and struggles, highlighting that every relationship is part of a divine design that connects us with each other, God, and the universe.
Mary's initial fear and confusion upon receiving the angel Gabriel's announcement is also discussed. The pastor points out that it was the news of Elizabeth's miraculous conception that provided Mary with the reassurance and support she needed to accept her role as the Divine carrier of Christ. This transformation from fear to acceptance underscores the power of connection and support in overcoming life's challenges.
Key Takeaways:
- The story of Mary and Elizabeth exemplifies the profound impact of shared experiences in fostering joy and comfort. Their connection, despite societal and generational differences, serves as a reminder that joy can be found in the mutual support and understanding we offer one another, especially in times of uncertainty and weariness. [54:57]
- Joy is not an individual endeavor but a collective creation that emerges from our relationships with others. The act of writing notes of love and hope is a practical application of this principle, as it encourages us to actively participate in spreading joy and strengthening our connections with those around us. [40:08]
- The Incarnation is not just a theological concept but a call to action for believers to be present for others and to share in their experiences. By walking with others in their joys and struggles, we embody the essence of the Incarnation and contribute to a community where joy can thrive even amidst weariness. [50:54]
- The shared joy between Mary and Elizabeth, rooted in deep spiritual connection, teaches us that true joy is not dependent on external circumstances but on the relationships we cultivate. This Advent, we are reminded to seek and nurture joy that grows from our connections with others, a joy that can flourish even in challenging times. [47:45]
- Mary's transformation from fear to acceptance after learning of Elizabeth's similar experience highlights the importance of connection and reassurance in facing life's daunting moments. The support we receive from those who share our experiences can be the catalyst for embracing our own roles in God's divine plan. [44:02]
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 1:39-45 (NIV)
> At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”
2. Isaiah 40:1-2 (NIV)
> Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.
#### Observation Questions
1. What were the circumstances surrounding Elizabeth and Mary's pregnancies, and how did these circumstances connect them? ([41:47])
2. How did Elizabeth react when Mary greeted her, and what was the significance of this reaction? ([46:56])
3. What transformation did Mary undergo from the time she received the angel Gabriel's announcement to her visit with Elizabeth? ([44:02])
4. According to the sermon, what role does connection play in finding joy, especially in times of weariness? ([50:54])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the shared experience of Mary and Elizabeth illustrate the power of connection in overcoming fear and uncertainty? ([46:17])
2. In what ways does the concept of the Incarnation call believers to be present for others in their joys and struggles? ([52:34])
3. How does the prophecy in Isaiah 40 provide comfort and hope to a weary people, and how is this similar to the joy found in the connection between Mary and Elizabeth? ([50:05])
4. What does the sermon suggest about the nature of joy as a collective experience rather than an individual one? ([49:22])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you found joy through a connection with someone else. How did that relationship help you overcome a challenging situation? ([46:56])
2. The sermon encourages writing notes of love and hope to others. Who in your life could benefit from a note of encouragement, and what would you say to them? ([56:24])
3. How can you expand your circle of connection this Advent season to include those who might be feeling isolated or weary? ([40:08])
4. Think about a relationship in your life that has brought you joy. How can you nurture and strengthen that connection in the coming weeks? ([49:22])
5. The sermon speaks about embodying the Incarnation by walking with others in their joys and struggles. What practical steps can you take to be more present for someone in your community? ([52:34])
6. How can you create opportunities for shared joy within your family, workplace, or church community during this Advent season? ([50:54])
7. Reflect on the transformation of Mary from fear to acceptance. Is there a situation in your life where you need reassurance and support from others to embrace your role in God's plan? ([44:02])
Devotional
Day 1: Joy in Shared Experiences
Mutual support and understanding are the bedrock of joy, especially in times of uncertainty. The story of Mary and Elizabeth teaches that joy is not confined by age or status but is abundant in the connections we share. This Advent, let us recognize the joy in our shared human experiences and the comfort they bring. [54:57]
Romans 12:15 - "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."
Reflection: Who in your life is experiencing a moment of joy or sorrow? How can you actively participate in their experience this week?
Day 2: Collective Creation of Joy
Joy is a communal treasure, crafted and celebrated together. Writing notes of love and hope is a tangible way to spread joy and reinforce the bonds within our community. As we reach out to others, we not only share joy but also receive it, enriching our collective spirit. [40:08]
Hebrews 10:24-25 - "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Reflection: Can you think of someone who might need a word of encouragement today? How can you reach out to them with a message of hope and joy?
Day 3: Embodying the Incarnation
The Incarnation calls us to be present in the lives of others, sharing in their joys and struggles. This Advent, we are invited to live out this divine mystery by walking alongside others, reflecting God's care and connection in our relationships. [50:54]
1 John 4:12 - "No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."
Reflection: In what ways can you more fully embody the love and presence of God in your relationships this week?
Day 4: Cultivating Relational Joy
True joy is rooted in the relationships we nurture, not in external circumstances. The spiritual connection between Mary and Elizabeth shows us that joy can flourish even in challenging times when we support and understand each other. [47:45]
Colossians 3:12-14 - "Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."
Reflection: Reflect on a relationship that brings you joy. How can you further cultivate this relationship to deepen the joy you both share?
Day 5: Overcoming Fear with Connection
Connection and reassurance from others can transform fear into acceptance of our roles in God's plan. Mary's journey from trepidation to embracing her calling highlights the power of shared experiences in overcoming life's challenges. [44:02]
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 - "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."
Reflection: Is there a situation in your life where you feel fear or hesitation? How can the support of your community help you face this challenge with courage?
Quotes
"May this shared connectional joy be a light onto our path, guiding us through the weariness of our world and into the hope and peace in the coming of Christ." [54:57] (Download)
"Write a kind note to someone, a friend or a stranger, that will express what you might want to hear - 'you are loved', 'there is hope' - and leave it somewhere to make this weary world rejoice." [57:04] (Download)
"Joy is not a solitary endeavor; it is not something that we can muster on our own. Joy is something we share, something we create together, something we find in connection." [51:44] (Download)
"Jesus Christ, the Incarnate God, promises to always share in our experience, to stand with us and walk alongside us. This Advent season, embody the Incarnation and promise to walk with others in shared joys and struggles." [53:22] (Download)
"Every relationship, every person, we are never alone in any of our struggles. We are part of a Divine Design, intricately connected with each other, with God, with the universe, and even in our own weariness, we can find joy in these connections." [54:08] (Download)
"It may feel safe to keep in our own circle, but if we can let that circle grow bigger and bigger, just like they did in the book and just like Elizabeth let Mary in, we can start to experience wonder and joy and connection." [37:15] (Download)
"The joy we seek is not dependent on wealth or ease, but rather it is a joy born of connection. This is the joy that we are celebrating this Advent, a joy that is rooted in connection, a joy that grows in relationship." [49:22] (Download)
"We find joy in connection. There is immense power found in connections with others and the joy that we feel, the joy that it can bring, particularly in times when the world around us feels heavy with weariness." [40:59] (Download)
"Mary's story stands out for the transformation she undergoes from her initial fear and trouble to a place of acceptance and affirmation of the Angel's announcement." [45:33] (Download)
"The fact that it was her relative, someone she knew well, was also experiencing a similar situation gave her the reassurance and support that she needed." [46:56] (Download)
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