Advent Joy By Jessie Young

 

Advent means “arrival” or “coming.” We celebrate the coming of Christ as a baby over two thousand years ago and look forward to his second coming with anticipation and great hope. 

 

Or at least that’s what the books say we do at Advent. Maybe you find yourself in a place of trial, pain, loss, or hopelessness this year. How can we experience the joy and hope of Christ, when life is hard, when joy seems hard to come by, or when we’re living in survival mode? 

 

Imagine for a minute: God’s people, the Israelites were spread across the known world. Their land had been taken. They were exiles. They held on to the promises of God that they would return; that he would send the Messiah, a rescuer. He would make all things right. But where was he? When would he come? 

 

Their world seemed like it was moving farther and farther from the ways things were. When the Assyrians came in, the Hebrew language and culture ended and Aramaic took over. Factions formed and power was changing hands quickly. Society was rapidly changing. The people were looking for a powerful, physically strong, charismatic person to take control. 

 

“In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good new of great joy that will be fore all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2: 8-12 CSB) 

 

The shepherds immediately went to see what had happened. They found Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, just like the angels had said! “[They] returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had seen and heard, which were just as they had been told.” (Luke 2:20 CSB) 

 

“Good news of great joy”? We often feel like we could use some good news of great joy. The shepherds believed the good news and went, expectantly. The messiah had come! And that was the best news. Hope had come. They had reason to rejoice. The good news of Jesus brought them joy in the midst of their circumstances. 

 

The good news of Jesus' birth is good news of great joy for us today, too. This Advent season, we can hold fast to Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” God wants to fill you with joy and peace. But the key is that it happens “as you believe.” 

 

Imagine for a minute: What would it look like for you to walk in faith this Advent season carrying the good news of great joy that is for all people? 

Where might God be inviting you to grow in faith? 

Where might he be inviting you to be like the Shepherds and walk forward with anticipation for the joy that can be found in Jesus? 

 

Read: Luke 2: 8-20

Pray: for God to fill you with all joy and peace as you believe. 

Worship: Joy to the World (Unspeakable Joy) by Chris Tomlin or Joy to the World (Joyful Joyful) by Phil Wickham

Proclaim the goodness of the gospel with someone you come in contact with this week.


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There are two types of Christmas people:

 

1. The ones who have been playing Christmas music since November 1st (we don't judge), did all their shopping throughout the year, and are just spending today enjoying leftover pie...

2. And the ones who feel like it's still September. (🙋‍♀️ anyone else??) If you're feeling exhausted or overwhelmed by the Christmas hustle..slow down for a bit with us over the next few weeks and enjoy a pause for Advent.

Video features include...

* Mandy West Art https://www.etsy.com/shop/MandyWestArt (Etsy shop opening soon!)

*Every Little Seed NEW release: Relentless Pursuit (ships December 1st) https://everylittleseed.com/ (Subscriptions available now!)

*Advent Devotional by Jessie Young (see more of Jessie's other writings below) See His Faithfulness: https://amzn.to/3ZdrerV Or See His Goodness: https://amzn.to/4fUshCo

 

(Royalty Free Music "Joy to the World" by BoDleasons)