This sermon reflects on the true nature of joy revealed in Jesus’ first coming, drawing from Luke 1:39-45 and Luke 2:8-20. It contrasts the fleeting, circumstance-based happiness of our world with the lasting, jubilant joy that comes from Christ alone. Through Mary’s visit to Elizabeth and the shepherds’ encounter with the angels, we see that…
Joseph’s circumstances seemed bleak. His betrothal to Mary created the hope of a wonderful life with the one he loved, but it seems that only moments later, he received the worst news possible – she was pregnant, and not by him. His “yes” to a new life suddenly became a “no” to possibility. This first…
THINK: About the troubles, we all face in this life, and whether God has ceased to be good. KNOW: Understand God hasn’t changed one bit, and He can use the most crummy, sad, and hard situations in our life to bring something good. Even if we don’t see it presently. We know who Jesus is,…