Sunday Service | Advent, week 3: December 13, 2020
December 13th 2020 - April Ban
This is the Third Sunday of Advent. Our focus is joy. Let our lenses be focused on what the Lord is saying to us. Let us participate in the joy of Advent.
Luke Chapter 2 Verse 8.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
The miracle of Christmas is knowing that as sad, burdensome, and full of hardship as the world is - we can still rest assured knowing that the birth of Christ is coming. This is the good news that the angels proclaimed. That the messiah had come.
One of the gifts of Advent is time to refocus on Jesus. Letting ourselves refocus is a gift because it is easy for us to lose our joy throughout the year. Every year is hard. 2020 has been especially hard. Advent is a time to intentionally focus on joy, and gratitude is a great way to exist within joy. We can change our perspective on our own circumstances and our connection with God. We get to see past the surface of our lives. We get to see past the things that may steal our joy. Valid experiences that we’ve lived through may have adjusted our perspective and stolen our joy. Advent allows us to refocus on Jesus and refocus on joy.
The shepherds respond immediately to the proclamation of good news and decide to participate & engage with it. Their actions show that they may have literally said “Let’s go see this good news that’s been proclaimed.” This is the way we can participate as well. God wants us to explore our curiosity. He wants us to go and FIND Jesus where we think he might be in our lives. To find his presence in our lives. The shepherds are the example of seeking out Jesus when the invitation is there. This is what we can do now during advent.
Advent Actions:
Ask a friend or family member to share one thing that they’re counting on God to handle.
Write an encouraging note to someone and be sure to share the joy of Christ’s coming.
Make a list of things that bring you joy.
Make time to share a meal or something fun with someone. Don’t miss the joy of sharing the experience of the Christmas season.