Advent 24 – JOY
A Message for the Third Sunday in Advent
So, I finally got my car back this week.
It has been a long nine months of walking – to church, to work, to the post office. One day, I even walked six miles, round trip, to have coffee. Another time, I walked to a local restaurant – a shorter distance of 2 miles round trip. And, in November, I walked 1-1/2 miles to vote in our national elections.
Needless to say, I’m overjoyed to have my car back! And, to be on the road again.
As we continue our journey through Advent this week, we’ve come to the third Sunday in Advent which is “JOY” Sunday.
And, we have every reason to rejoice!
What we lost in the first Adam, in the garden, we have regained in the second Adam (Jesus the Christ).
The prophet Zephaniah wrote,
“Sing, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away your judgments, He has cast out your enemy. The King of Israel (Jesus), the Lord, is in your midst; You shall see disaster no more.”
– Zephaniah 3:14-15
That baby, lying in the manger, on that first Christmas morning, changed everything.
In Philippians 4:4-7, Paul writes,
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
We do not serve an absentee God but, rather, a living, loving and merciful God.
Our God, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, was born and laid in a manger on that first Christmas morning. He walked in our shoes. He healed illnesses and injuries. He taught us the way we ought to live our lives. Then, He paid the ultimate sacrifice. For us. He died for our sins and rose again. to ascend into heaven – alive as can be.
In Him, we have no condemnation. In Him, we are forgiven.
In Him, we have every reason to rejoice, and to be glad.
I’m glad to have my car back. I’m overjoyed at the birth of Jesus.
Blessings.
A Prayer for the Third Sunday in Advent
Thank You, O God, for this third week of Advent. Thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus, into the world that, as John wrote, whoever believes shall not perish but have everlasting life. This is the good news of the gospel. We rejoice in our Savior, Jesus Christ! Hallelujah! All thanks, and praise, and thanksgiving be to You, O Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer. Now and always. Amen.
