Enter Advent - Joy

Luke 2:6-11
So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

The Good News of Great Joy

Joy is a good feeling in our soul when a longing is fulfilled. 

Charlie Brown
I just don't understand Christmas, I guess. I like getting presents and sending Christmas cards and decorating trees and all that, but I'm still not happy. I always end up feeling depressed.

Advent is the expectant waiting, hopeful anticipation, and cheerful preparation of God breaking into our lives in all moments, all places, and all times- past, present, and future. 

Ebenezer Scrooge
I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. I will live in the Past, the Present, and the Future.

THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS PAST

Matthew 1:1
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Christoper Wright
The Old Testament tells a story that Jesus completes.

Abraham to David

David to Exile

Exile to Messiah

The Messiah had come and with this bright and morning star dawned a new day, a new law, a new temple, a new sacrifice, a new creation.  

Galatians 3:8-9
What’s more, the Scriptures looked forward to this time when God would make the Gentiles right in his sight because of their faith. God proclaimed this good news to Abraham long ago when he said, “All nations will be blessed through you.” So all who put their faith in Christ share the same blessing Abraham received because of his faith.

The Blessing Abraham received = Right Standing with God through Faith. 

We experience The Joy of Christmas Past when we identify with our spiritual ingrafted history. 

THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS PRESENT

We experience The Joy of Christmas Present when we seek to fulfill our Father’s longing.  

James 1:18
Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of his creatures.

A First Fruits Creature Is:
Set-apart
On Display
Preview of the Future Harvest
Continuing the Ministry of Jesus

THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS FUTURE

We experience The Joy of Christmas Future when we look ahead to the second coming of Jesus. 

Revelation 21:1-7
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.

God is so full of mercy that his most characteristic action is to come down from the throne and, in person, wipe away every tear from every eye. -NT Wright

Advent is the expectant waiting, hopeful anticipation, and cheerful preparation of God breaking into our lives in all moments, all places, and all times- past, present, and future.