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Dec 12, 2021

Advent 2021 - WITH - Joy

Passage: Luke 2:8-19

Speaker: Brian Land

Series: Advent 2021

Category: Grace Brevard

Advent #3 - With Joy – Cutting through the circumstances that try to steal our joy and rising above the temporary feeling of happiness that is a mere reflection of Joy, The Joy of the Lord begins internally and by faith as we hold on to the “Good News of Great Joy.” But it doesn’t stop there. Joy grows its way outwardly into our behavior, leading us to join the angels is singing “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

THEME: Advent #3 - With Joy –  Cutting through the circumstances that try to steal our joy and rising above the temporary feeling of happiness that is a mere reflection of Joy, The Joy of the Lord begins internally and by faith as we hold on to the “Good News of Great Joy.” But it doesn’t stop there. Joy grows its way outwardly into our behavior, leading us to join the angels is singing “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

 

CENTRAL TEXT:

Luke 2:8-19

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

 

 

ADVENT READINGS:

The third candle of the Advent wreath is Joy Candle

Reader #1 - “This Christmas season we set aside a time called Advent to specifically prepare our hearts and lives for the birth of Jesus. The first candle was the Hope Candle, inviting us to a hopeful anticipation of the Coming King. The second candle was the Peace Candle, reminding us that Jesus is the Prince of Peace, restoring our relationship with God. This third candle is the Joy, reflecting the Good News of Great Joy that the angels proclaimed.”

Reader #2

Ps 95

1 Oh come, let us sing to the Lord;

let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation!

2 Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving;

let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!

3 For the Lord is a great God,

and a great King above all gods.

4 In his hand are the depths of the earth;

the heights of the mountains are his also.

5 The sea is his, for he made it,

and his hands formed the dry land.

Reader #3

Luke 2:8-19

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.


Pray - “Let’s pray together.  --- Jesus, thank you that were born and then crucified for us because of “the joy set before you.” Help us this season to find the true joy of the Lord rather than the fleeting feeling of joy because of circumstances. And help us hold on to joy when the circumstances lead us into the valley of the shadow of death. Help our eyes and hearts be drawn to you, The Good News of Great Joy.”