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| I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. + Luke 2:10 |
Life even at its most monotonous and backbreaking and heartnumbing has the Kingdom buried in it the way a field has treasure buried in it, Jesus said.
Joy is a mystery because it can happen anywhere, anytime, even under the most unpromising circumstances, even in the midst of suffering, with tears in its eyes.
+ Frederick Buechner
Secrets in the Dark
Good News of Great Joy
is World-Restoring Redemption
Struggling and rejoicing are not two chronological steps, one following the other, but two concurrent movements, one fluid with the other. As the cold can move you deeper toward the fire, struggling can move you deeper toward God, who warms you with joy.
+ Ann Voskamp
The Greatest Gift
Good News of Great Joy
is History-Altering Resistance
Joy is an act of resistance against all the forces of despair: violence, war, debt, death ... all of the things that can cause us to think life in this world is not worth living.
Cultivating joy is an act of resistance to any person, event, or system that would have us believe that death has the final word on our lives.
+ Willie James Jennings
Good News of Great Joy
is Personally-Transforming Resurrection
Did you know joy can be chosen?
The feeling is but the branches of a thing
whose roots lie deep within your being.
You can choose to celebrate life itself,
regardless of circumstances.
You can know Jesus' joy.
+ Paul J. Pastor
The Listening Day
O Lord!
Make that possible to me by grace,
which I find impossible by nature.
+ Thomas a Kempis
Austin Stone Worship, 2013 A.D.
Oh the beauty and the loss
Of the cradle and the cross,
The Son of God so humbly sent for us.
Into darkness came the light,
The Son of God so humbly sent for us.
Into darkness came the light,
Faith of fathers became sight
When the Christ arrived
When the Christ arrived
To save the fold of God.
Humanity embraced,
Humanity embraced,
He left a perfect place,
The prize of God in lowly manger lay.
Angels shout with joyous song,
The prize of God in lowly manger lay.
Angels shout with joyous song,
Saints and sinners sing along
In the highest place, "Glory, Gloria!"
Immanuel, God with us!
The Lamb of God slain for us!
Finally, our hope’s secured
By the beauty of the cradle and the cross.
The Creator of the stars
In the highest place, "Glory, Gloria!"
Immanuel, God with us!
The Lamb of God slain for us!
Finally, our hope’s secured
By the beauty of the cradle and the cross.
The Creator of the stars
Then in flesh received the scars
On the cross He paid the debt of sinners earned.
And even death could not Him hold,
On the cross He paid the debt of sinners earned.
And even death could not Him hold,
Peace on earth we see unfold
As the risen Christ ascends in victory!
(Chorus)
Stars and angels sing around You, "Gloria!"
Hearts unfold like flowers before You, "Gloria!"
Joyful, joyful, we adore You, "Gloria!"
As the risen Christ ascends in victory!
(Chorus)
Stars and angels sing around You, "Gloria!"
Hearts unfold like flowers before You, "Gloria!"
Joyful, joyful, we adore You, "Gloria!"
Benediction
May the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace as you trust in Him
so that you may overflow with hope
by the power of the Holy Spirit.
+ Romans 15:13
Next post: In the Wilderness with the One Who Is Wilder
Here are links to other recent Advent articles:
Advent Story of God | Immanuel: God Present with Us, for Us; The Bold & Courageous 1st Advent Hymn; My Honest Advent; Advent Films Reflections: A Quiet Place, Arrival, Children of Men, Joyeux Noel; Praying with Mary and Jesus; Making Room for Limits; Making Room for Outsiders; Experience God-with-Us Today in Your Fears; Waiting is the Womb in Which We Are Formed; Christ with Shopping Bags or Generous Christ?; Advent Film Series Reflection: All the Light We Cannot See; When We're Afraid, God Pursues; He Is Not One to Leave Us Hurting
Soli Jesu gloria.
+ Sully
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