Advent--Joy & Jesus

Advent--Joy

Joy is not determined by location

Joy is not determined by the size of your bank account.

Joy is not defined by circumstances, nor is it manufactured by a sheer act of will.

Joy comes from God—if God were not here, active and present in this world—all joy would cease.

Joy to the World occurs because God gives it in the fact that “The Lord Is Come”

Isaiah 12:6--Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion,

for great is the Holy One of Israel among you."

Joy is a gift from God and does not come naturally to us. It is a product of restored relationship and is listed as one of the fruits of the Spirit—

Galatians 5:22—“the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.”

The Joy of Restored Relationship to God is at the heart of Christmas.

Luke 2:10-11—“But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”

Jesus came bringing Joy and desires to give it generously to His people. Jesus Himself takes joy at seeing a vibrant and growing faith in us.

John 15:11—“I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”

Joy to the World, The Lord Is Come

Rejoice in the Lord Always, I say again Rejoice.

JUDE 1:24 To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy-- 25 to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

Advent--Jesus

Dear Jesus,

Tomorrow we celebrate Your birthday. Your birthday isn’t about receiving, it is about giving. You gave up your claim to omnipotence, Your omnipresence, and accepted the role of a servant, of a lowly human being. You are not ashamed to call us your brothers and sisters.

This wasn’t the end of your giving, it was just the beginning—You willingly gave Your life to purchase our freedom—freedom from sin, freedom from death, freedom from the dominion of evil and darkness and brought us into the kingdom of light.

You have left your throne in heaven and celebrated your birthday with us. Thank you Jesus for accomplishing the task the Father sent you for—saving Your people from their sins.

· Thank You for being my Wonderful Counselor

· Thank You for being my Mighty God,

· Thank You for being my Everlasting Father

· Thank You for being my Prince of Peace.