ADVENT WEEK 3

JOY THAT CANNOT BE SHAKEN

Advent Week 1 reminds us that hope has come — Jesus is the promised Light breaking into the darkness. Week 2 reminds us that peace reigns — Jesus calms the chaos, reconciles hearts, and brings rest to weary souls.

Together they proclaim:

Hope looks forward with confidence.

Peace looks around with calm.

Both are found only in Christ.

Hope tells us a Savior is coming. Peace tells us He is with us now.

Advent is the invitation to trust His promises, walk in His peace, and prepare our hearts for the King who came, who comes, and who is coming again.

Week 3 – Joy (Shepherd’s candle) – joy in anticipating Jesus’ arrival and His Work and His ministry

Let us Pray!

“Joy That Cannot Be Shaken: Rejoicing in the Savior Who Has Come”

Advent Week 3 – The Shepherd’s Candle (Joy)

BIG IDEA:

Advent reminds us that true joy isn’t found in circumstances but in Christ Himself. Joy is not an emotion we chase but a promise we embrace — a deep, unshakeable confidence that God is with us, God is for us, and God’s salvation has come.

POINT 1 — Joy in God’s Presence: The Savior Has Come Near

Counter-Cultural Illustration:

Our culture says joy comes from success, comfort, or possessions. Scripture says joy comes from presence — Immanuel, God with us.

The world says: “Happiness is something you create.” Advent says: “Joy is Someone who came to you.”

Luke 2:8–14 – “And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 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. 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. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

The shepherds were ordinary, overlooked people — yet they were the first to hear the announcement of the King. Their joy came from one truth: God has drawn near to us.  Matthew 1:23 — ““Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).”

Illustration:

A child terrified during a storm suddenly calms down when their parent enters the room. The circumstances haven’t changed, but the presence has — and that changes everything.

Key Idea:

Joy is rooted not in what is happening around us but in Who has come to be with us.

Difference between joy and happy

John 15:11 — “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”

If joy is out of reach – where are we in relation to Christ? 

Christ does not only fill you partially – He overflows you – be still and know that He is God and allow Him to fill you with His joy (quit running around and being a moving target)

Psalm 16:11 — “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

He is the Life and following Him give you life

He is the Way – we must walk His path – that is where His presence is

Open-Ended Questions:

1. Where in your life do you need to be reminded of God’s nearness today?

2. How does the presence of Christ change your perspective on difficult circumstances?

3. What practices help you remain aware of God’s presence throughout the week?

POINT 2 — Joy in God’s Salvation: The Savior Has Come for Our Rescue

Counter-Cultural Illustration:

Culture teaches self-salvation: “Find yourself. Fix yourself. Save yourself.” But Advent declares: “You cannot save yourself — but Christ came to save you.”

The world says joy comes from achievement. Advent says joy comes from redemption.

Luke 1:46–55 – Mary’s Song of Joy – And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate; he has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

Mary’s joy erupted not because her life got easier — it actually got harder — but because she understood what God was doing: Salvation had come. Joy flows from the reality of redemption, not convenience.

Illustration:

A person drowning in the ocean doesn’t need a motivational speech — they need a rescuer. Their joy is great not because the waves are smaller, but because someone stronger has reached them.

Key Idea:

Joy is found in knowing we have been rescued — and that rescue cannot be undone.

Joy is knowing who holds our future

Joy is knowing that He came to us for us – we don’t have to earn it or work for it – He came seeking us to reconcile us to each other and the Father

Joy is not the absence of trials but His presence in the midst of it

Supporting Scriptures:

Isaiah 61:10 — “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.”

Romans 5:11 — “More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”

Open-Ended Questions:

1. How does remembering Christ’s salvation deepen your sense of joy?

2. What false sources of joy do you often run to instead of Jesus?

3. How might your daily life look different if it flowed from the joy of being redeemed?

POINT 3 — Joy in God’s Strength: The Savior Sustains Us in Every Season

Nehemiah 8:10 – “The joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Joy doesn’t just comfort us — it strengthens us. Gospel joy gives endurance through trials, hope through grief, and confidence in uncertainty. Joy is not fragile; it is a spiritual force.

Counter-Cultural Illustration:

Culture treats joy as a fragile feeling that depends on having a “good day.” But Scripture declares joy as a weapon, a strength, a steadfast anchor that holds even when everything else shakes.

A lamp with a weak bulb flickers constantly, but a lamp with a strong power source shines steadily. Christian joy doesn’t flicker because its power source — Christ — never weakens.  His joy causes us to shine brightly.

The world says: “You can only have joy when everything is right.” Jesus says: “You can have joy because I am with you in everything.”

Key Idea:

Joy is not the absence of hardship but the presence of Christ’s strength within us.

Joy – inner delight – Holman’s defines it as the result of knowing and serving God

It is the fruit of living in right relationship with God

It is not something we can create or find on our own

Nehemiah 8:10 says, “Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Deep, stable, non-fleeing joy unlike happiness

Look up to find it – be still and silent and allow God to speak and strengthen you – fill you with joy –

Count the blessings of God and His presence – this allows joy to be cultivated and grown

Supporting Scriptures:

Habakkuk 3:17–19 — “Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.”

John 16:22 — “So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.”

Philippians 4:4 — “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice!”

Open-Ended Questions:

1. When has God’s joy sustained you through a difficult season?

2. What tries to steal your joy most often — and how does the gospel confront it?

3. How can you strengthen someone else by sharing the joy Christ has given you?

CLOSING IDEA:

Advent joy doesn’t depend on what’s happening — it depends on Who has come. Joy is born in His presence, grows in His salvation, and strengthens us by His Spirit. This joy cannot be stolen, shaken, or silenced.

FINAL SUMMARY — Advent Week 3: Joy of the Shepherds, Joy of the Savior

Advent Week 3 calls us to remember that Jesus came not just to save us, but to fill us with joy that lasts.

Joy in His Presence — God has drawn near. Joy in His Salvation — Our rescuer has come. Joy in His Strength — We can endure because He sustains us.

The joy of Advent is not temporary or seasonal — it is eternal, because it is found in Christ Himself.

This is the joy of the shepherds. This is the joy of the gospel. This is the joy of Advent.

Let us pray!