Our
church had our Christmas service yesterday and in the service celebrated Advent
by talking through the points of HOPE, PEACE, JOY and LOVE. I’d like to share with you a piece of
each.
Advent is a word that means “coming” or “visit”. In the Christian
season of Advent, we prepare for the “advent” of Christ at Christmas. This
morning, we continue to light the advent candles as we move towards Christmas
and the birth of Christ, Holy God made flesh.
Hope
Often times, when the whole world seems
to be against us, hope can appear to be really dim. It is at these times that
we often feel helpless and depressed. Yet, we forget that even IF the whole world is against us (which often isn’t the case), God
is still there for us. He has promised to never leave us or forsake us, and
will always be there for us no matter how bad we may have messed up. We always have God given hope.
Ephesians 4:4 NLT
For
there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future.
Matthew 12:21 NLT
And
his name will be the hope of all
the world.
Peace
The peace of Christ is an internal peace. It does not depend on
your circumstances. You could be living in poverty, but still could experience peace.
You could be living in war-torn Iraq, but still could experience peace. You may
be persecuted, but still could be a bearer of peace. You may be hated for your
nationality, color or personality, but sill could experience the internal
serenity of Christ. The world cannot bring this peace to you. Troops cannot
protect this peace. It is a peace, offered to those who are meek, humble and
pure in heart. It is a peace offered to those who have an original innocence in
them.
Colossians 3:15 NLT
And
let the peace that comes from
Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live
in peace. And always be
thankful.
Joy
The
biblical view of peace helps draw us near to God. It enables us to trust him in
the midst of a world so filled with brokenness and strife. It also motivates us
to be peacemakers, even when our notions of peace and our approaches to peacemaking
seem naive to a jaded, worn out world. Finally, the biblical picture of peace
yet to come binds us together with other Christians in a fellowship of hope.
Colossians 1:11 NLT
We
also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will
have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy,
Love
The Bible tells us that it is because God loved the world so much
that Jesus came. The angel tells Joseph that the baby to be born will be called
"Emmanuel", "God with us." Because God loves us and came
into the world to be with us, we must love and care for others. Jesus came to
show us how to live that love.
John 3:16 NLT
“For
God loved the world so
much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him
will not perish but have eternal life.
Psalm 36:7 NLT
How
precious is your unfailing love,
O God! All humanity finds
shelter in the shadow of your
wings.
Romans 13:10 NLT
Love
does no wrong to others, so love
fulfills the requirements of God’s law.
THINK:
Pray for those who are alone and struggling
this Christmas. How can we serve them?
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