Sermon Quick Summary

We are on a journey during this Advent season around the world and through the themes of Advent. In this message the Advent theme is joy; we explore what it means to radiate joy, with our Savior Jesus Christ at the center. We need to distinguish happiness and joy; happiness rises and falls based on what happens to us; joy is positive contentment rooted in the presence and promises of God with Jesus at our center. God’s angels are filled with and radiate joy; angels dwell in the presence of God; angels worship God with unceasing praise; this heavenly joy is not limited to angels alone; it is the same joy that Jesus in the Advent came to give us. The angel Gabriel visited Mary providing joy through reassurance from Jesus’ birth. When we explore Christian communities around the world, we see how Christmas is celebrated to radiate joy. In Pakistan for many Christians, Christmas radiates joy through celebration and worship. An angel appeared to Joseph who radiated joy through obedience. For many Christians in Egypt, even as a minority population, Christmas joy of faith is not about ease or comfort; Christmas joy often shines brightest in the face of hardship with the assurance that God’s purposes will prevail. Angels appeared proclaiming joy and worship that all people can replicate; the shepherds became the first human messengers of the gospel about the First Advent of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Christmas in the country of Belize is a joy-filled communal experience with cultural traditions. With Christ as the center, we truly have a message that is not only joy to the world but joy for the world desperate for true joy.