Advent 2023 - Joy

Advent Candle Reading

Luke 2:8-20.

“Isn’t there anyone who knows what Christmas is all about?” - Charlie Brown

How would you describe the Christmas Story in one word?

Joyful

Joy (chara) - 59 times in the New Testament

delight; gladness

Shepherd’s

Considered their own class of people. Not allowed to socialize with anyone other than the lower class.

They cared for the lambs used for sacrifices in the temple of Jerusalem.

Ceremonially unclean.

Untrustworthy

Social outcasts.

Not allowed to bear testimony in the courts.

The shepherds would tightly wrap newborn lambs in cloths to keep them from becoming blemished and injuring themselves.

Angel’s

V. 9 was a single angel.

The glory of the Lord was what brought great fear.

Brought bold proclamation of the gospel at the very hour of Jesus’ birth.

“To all people” “In the City of David”

To everyone at the right time and in the right place.

“A savior” - Not one to be a savior, but “born a savior.”

“Messiah, the Lord” (Anointed one) The only time this phrase is used in scripture. (Highest possible terms)

V.13 “suddenly a multitude of the heavenly host.”

A massive group of angels. A better term would be an army.

An army who came to announce peace.

The healing of estrangement caused by human evil.

Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus

“Let us go” - To see this thing that has happened.

“Once in our mind, a stable had something in it that was bigger than our whole world.” - C.S. Lewis

“They reported” - The shepherds were the first evangelists of the Christian era.

Everyone reacted out load in this story accept for Mary.

Mary “treasured” these things.

“preserved closely”

How does the Christmas story provide joy?

Joy is priceless. (Cannot be bought or earned)

Heaven rejoices with all believers. (The gospel transcends all generations)

Joy can be found in the ordinary.

1 Corinthians 1:26-29

26 Brothers and sisters, consider your calling: Not many were wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth. 27 Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. 28 God has chosen what is insignificant and despised in the world—what is viewed as nothing—to bring to nothing what is viewed as something, 29 so that no one may boast in his presence.

The Christmas my parents couldn’t afford the best gifts. I was thankful for a mom and dad that cared to make Christmas special with very little.

“The Son of God became a man to enable men to become sons of God.” - C.S. Lewis