The Week of JoyThe joyous news of the birth of the Christ-child was first given to a group of humble shepherds who were taking care of their sheep near the town of Bethlehem. Peace, Goodwill, and Joy were the highlights of the message that heralded His birth. Just as light cuts through the darkness, joy had come to the earth to usher in a real and personal relationship with God. Joy came to hopeless mankind that day.
Today’s world is filled with tragedy, grief, and separation from God. Hearts that are open to Him may still hear the ‘Good news of great Joy” and rejoice that the “Christ” is given. Also, those hearts that have the joy of their reconciled relationship with God longs for the joy of Christ’s return when there will only be joy; grief, pain and death will finally be banished forever and ever.
(Light the first two purple candles. Then light the pink candle of joy.)
Say, “I light this candle on the third Sunday of Advent to remind us of the joyous news that our King had come. A King who would bring forgiveness, reconciliation, and adoption into God’s family. Now that is true joy!
Read: Isaiah 9:2-3
Luke 2:8-11
“Joy to the world! The Lord is come; Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heav’n and nature sing, And heav’n and nature sing,
And heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.
Joy to the earth! The Savior reigns; Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love, And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders of His love.
(Isaac Watts, 1674-1748)
Discuss as a family the joy that you share this Christmas.
Pray a prayer thanking Jesus Christ for bringing true joy to your family.
Today’s world is filled with tragedy, grief, and separation from God. Hearts that are open to Him may still hear the ‘Good news of great Joy” and rejoice that the “Christ” is given. Also, those hearts that have the joy of their reconciled relationship with God longs for the joy of Christ’s return when there will only be joy; grief, pain and death will finally be banished forever and ever.
(Light the first two purple candles. Then light the pink candle of joy.)
Say, “I light this candle on the third Sunday of Advent to remind us of the joyous news that our King had come. A King who would bring forgiveness, reconciliation, and adoption into God’s family. Now that is true joy!
Read: Isaiah 9:2-3
Luke 2:8-11
“Joy to the world! The Lord is come; Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heav’n and nature sing, And heav’n and nature sing,
And heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.
Joy to the earth! The Savior reigns; Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love, And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders of His love.
(Isaac Watts, 1674-1748)
Discuss as a family the joy that you share this Christmas.
Pray a prayer thanking Jesus Christ for bringing true joy to your family.
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