Advent Week Three: Joy

This coming Sunday will be the third Sunday of Advent – the Sunday of Joy.  What brings you joy?  What is something in your life that grabs your attention?  When do you feel most alive?  For some it’s a hobby, and for others it might be their job.  Some find joy in their friends or family.  Others in their stuff.  But all of these things are short lived, fleeting joys.  Our lives are but a vapour (look at Psalm 90 or James 4:14), and our stuff will rot away.  What remains?  What is eternal?  Only God, and that’s ultimately where we need to find our joy.

In the story of Jesus’ birth we read about the Shepherds and their response to the angels (Luke 2:8-20).  Here we can clearly see their joy and their enthusiasm, how they didn’t delay but immediately acted on the message from the angel.  What is our response?  What is our first action?  How do our lives reflect the reality of Jesus in our lives?  This Sunday I hope that you’ll be able to come and share in the joy once again, and respond in a way that is similar to that of the Shepherds.

Pastor Mike