In case you missed it this week
This week we’ve explored joy and how to find it even when life’s not perfect. Advent is about anticipation as we patiently wait for God.
Quotes from this week’s readings:
If you watch the news and believe everything you read on social media, you may not see much reason for joy. But in the darkest night, even a small light shines brightly.
This advent season, try sitting for a minute with the tension in your life. Coming into a new life requires us to face massive tension.
If we’re uncomfortable with emotions like joy, gratitude, and happiness we’ll find a way to squash those emotions.
We often find a glimmer of joy in our pain when we practice gratitude for the strange and mundane things in our life.
Scriptures from this week’s readings:
Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” (Luke 2:10-11, NLT)
Joseph, to whom [Mary] was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly. (Matthew 1:19, NLT)
Nevertheless, that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever...The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will shine. (Isaiah 9:1a-2 NLT)
The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. (Luke 2:20, NLT)
Until next week.