Advent 2020 — Week 3
Jesus, our Joy
Read
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, “The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw. They will be consumed—roots, branches, and all.
2 “But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture. 3 On the day when I act, you will tread upon the wicked as if they were dust under your feet,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
4 “Remember to obey the Law of Moses, my servant—all the decrees and regulations that I gave him on Mount Sinai for all Israel.
5 “Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. 6 His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children, and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise I will come and strike the land with a curse.”
—Malachi 4:1-6
Listen
Joy to the world the Lord is come
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven and nature sing
And Heaven and Heaven and nature sing
Joy to the world the Savior reigns
Let men their songs employ
While fields and floods rocks hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat the sounding joy
Repeat repeat the sounding joy
He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders wonders of His love
Joyful joyful we adore Thee
God of glory Lord of love
Oh Lord of love
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee
Opening to the sun above
Meditate
The Israelites were persecuted, enslaved, oppressed, attacked, displaced, and ultimately they were unfulfilled in their desire to see God’s glory, but they regularly reflected on how God had delivered them from their circumstances and they trusted in His promise to send a Savior to redeem them once and for all.
Ask yourself…
Where do you feel sad? Depressed? Alone? Bored? Stressed? Tired? Inadequate? Weak? Afraid?
What is one specific way you have seen God be faithful to deliver you or someone else in the past?
4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.
—Philippians 4:4
Practice…
Think of one thing you are thankful for in your life right now and thank God for it.
Ask yourself…
What do you feel when you think about Jesus returning to redeem all of His people? Excitement and joy? Or maybe dread and anxiety?
Based on my reaction to that last question, where am I looking for joy?
“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” —C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory
Practice…
Lay anything down at the feet of Jesus that you are seeking to bring yourself joy besides Him. He loves you far more than you could ever imagine!
“…God’s ultimate goal in the world (his glory) and our deepest desire (to be happy) are one and the same, because God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him. Not only is God the supreme source of satisfaction for the human soul, but God himself is glorified by our being satisfied in him. Therefore, our pursuit of joy in him is essential.” —John Piper
The First Coming of the Messiah — Part III
Read
39 A few days later Mary hurried to the hill country of Judea, to the town 40 where Zechariah lived. She entered the house and greeted Elizabeth. 41 At the sound of Mary’s greeting, Elizabeth’s child leaped within her, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 Elizabeth gave a glad cry and exclaimed to Mary, “God has blessed you above all women, and your child is blessed. 43 Why am I so honored, that the mother of my Lord should visit me? 44 When I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. 45 You are blessed because you believed that the Lord would do what he said.”
46 Mary responded,
“Oh, how my soul praises the Lord.
47 How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!
48 For he took notice of his lowly servant girl,
and from now on all generations will call me blessed.
49 For the Mighty One is holy,
and he has done great things for me.
50 He shows mercy from generation to generation
to all who fear him.
51 His mighty arm has done tremendous things!
He has scattered the proud and haughty ones.
52 He has brought down princes from their thrones
and exalted the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away with empty hands.
54 He has helped his servant Israel
and remembered to be merciful.
55 For he made this promise to our ancestors,
to Abraham and his children forever.”
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back to her own home.
—Luke 1:39-56
Listen
Joy (Elizabeth) by Poor Bishop Hooper
Who is this you carry?
Child you shine like never before
Who is this the holy Spirit that I’ve never known
Spirit that I’ve never known
Tell me how your journey
Brought me such heavenly gold
Now I feel this baby
Turning like he now beholds
Some presence that he’s never known
You are the most blessed of women
And your child will be no different
Only more, only more
How could this scene happen
That the mother of my Lord I’d find
From the moment your sweet greeting
Beheld my ears some joy inside
Burst forth in goodness truth and light
You are the most blessed of children
And your life will be no different
Only more only more
Want more?
Check out additional resources like daily Advent devotions, music, and history to fully engage with the season.