Joy that Transcends

Sunday, December 15, 2024

Introduction

The season of Advent is a time to receive the arrival of Jesus, which is actually a past event, a future hope, and a present reality. Jesus has come. Jesus will return. Jesus is here right now. In the Advent season, we reflect on what He has already done, we look forward to what He has still promised to do, and we receive what He is doing in and among us right now. In this series on the four Sundays leading up to Christmas Day, we will go through four traditional themes of the Advent season : Hope, Faith, Joy, and Peace.

Core Idea for this Lesson

“Jesus Himself is our Joy - and because He is greater than all things, we can be Joyful in all things.”

Lesson

On the third Sunday of Advent we think about the Joy we have in Christ

The candle that represents this on the Advent wreath is sometimes called the “Shepherds Candle.” It represents the Joy the shepherds received when the angels appeared to them.

The story of the shepherds

The shepherds were not rich, powerful, or important - and yet the angels visited them with the greatest news any human had ever heard on the night that Jesus was born.

Luke 2:8–20 NLT

8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” 15 When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” 16 They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. 17 After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. 18 All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, 19 but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. 20 The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.

In this story, we see that Joy comes from knowing these truths about Jesus:

He is the one you've been waiting for (2:11)

He can relate to you - He knows what it’s like to be human (2:12)

He can be found (2:11b-12a)

He is exactly what you've been told (2:20)

Jesus Himself is the ultimate Joy - a consistent and unending source

We do not have to scrape and scavenge for joy - it has been provided to us through the person of Jesus Christ

In the same way that Jesus transcends all things - the Joy we can find in Him rises above any circumstance we find ourselves in

Reflection

Take a moment to Pray:

Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to speak to us from what we have just heard - highlighting any points He wants us to focus on and apply this week.

Discussion and Application

Feel free to add your own question prompts as the teacher, or to create some on the fly as the discussion develops

Of all the truths we listed about Jesus, which one brings you the most immediate joy?

How does this compare to the typical things you try to find joy in?

What is your take away from this lesson (What is the Holy Spirit prompting in you?) and what will you do with it this week?

Where to Land the Plane

Joy is something we always want, but don’t always have. This is because we look in the wrong place. There is no greater source of Joy than Jesus Himself. When we understand the depth of His compassion, the blessings in His promises, and the faithfulness of His Heart, we will find a Joy that rises above all circumstances and seasons.