JOY (Second of Advent) - Joy & Peace

JOY (Second of Advent) - Joy & Peace

This year, during Advent Season we are going to be focusing on JOY.

Last week we learned about:

Joy & Gladness

(click HERE to view)

And today we are focusing on "Joy & Peace."

When researching for this series, I was amazed at how many times the word "joy" occurs in the Bible!  Just like last week we will begin with basic definitions of each word:

Joy - the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires.  Bliss, cheer, delight, glee.  (the opposite is: sorrow & sadness)

Peace -  a state of tranquility or quiet.  Calm, serenity, harmony. (the opposite is:  conflict, fighting, unrest & turmoil) 

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The Scripture passage below is the reason why we should be exuding joy all the time (not just during Christmas):   

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Luke 2:10-11

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I believe that "joy" and "peace" go hand in hand.  You can't be cheerful while fighting, and you can't be sad when there is harmony.  It is explained in a better way in the first Scripture passage below: 

The kingdom of God is inside of us!!!  It says so in 

Luke 17:20-21:

Jesus answered, “God’s kingdom is coming, but not in a way that you will be able to see with your eyes.  People will not say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ because God’s kingdom is within you.”

When we are filled to the brim with the Holy Spirit, that means that both peace and joy should overflow through our actions. (see the Romans 14:17 above).

And the Bible verse below shows us that both joy and peace are immensely powerful.

Joy terminates sadness and peace blockades fighting.

The lyrics in this song  "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" are so wonderful and relevant to what's happening today!

:

"And in despair I bowed my head:

"There is no peace on earth," I said,

"For hate is strong, and mocks the song

Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:

"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,

With peace on earth, good will to men."

(from Christmas hymn - "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day")

God is NOT dead, nor does He sleep!!! - Jesus Christ is alive forevermore!  And because of Jesus our Messiah - we shall live in JOY & PEACE with Him for eternity!  

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You might be interested in viewing this video:

click HERE to view

"Nativity Basics"

DAY#10 - Jesus is the Bridge Advent Calendar

DAY#10  Jesus is the Bridge Advent Calendar

Welcome to Advent Season 2023!!  Advent is the season that begins the celebration of Jesus' coming to earth.  The word "Advent" is derived from the Latin word "adventus" which means "coming".  During Advent, Christians celebrate the birth of the Messiah Jesus but it is also a time to prepare for the second coming of Christ. 

I have featured a different Advent calendar each year since 2016.  This year we are featuring "Jesus is the Bridge" calendar.  Actually, this calendar does not have a Christian message - however, I have adapted it to show the true meaning of Christmas - The birth of Jesus Christ our Savior!!

If you missed yesterday click HERE for DAY#9

Why the bridge you might be asking?  Well, Jesus Christ is the reason why there is no longer any division between us.  In Galatians 3:28 (see picture below) we learn that we are ALL one in Christ.  That means it does NOT matter what color your skin is, nor what gender, it does not matter if you are from Palestine or from Israel and it does NOT matter which way you lean (politically speaking).  WE ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST - Jesus is the bridge that gets rid of all division and separation. 

Today is December 10th and I am opening Box10

Inside we find:

A family searching for a Christmas tree (although, this tree has already been decorated - it's the farm model I guess - haha).

Jesus is the Bridge preventing everyone from being lost - Your search is over! - He is the One; the Messiah; the Answer; the correct Path.  

"For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”
Matthew 7:8

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Last year I did a daily video "Advent Calendar Devotion" - Below is 

December 10th:

 click HERE to view

"December 10th - Advent Calendar Daily Devotion"

DAY#9 - Jesus is the Bridge Advent Calendar

DAY#9  Jesus is the Bridge Advent Calendar

Welcome to Advent Season 2023!!  Advent is the season that begins the celebration of Jesus' coming to earth.  The word "Advent" is derived from the Latin word "adventus" which means "coming".  During Advent, Christians celebrate the birth of the Messiah Jesus but it is also a time to prepare for the second coming of Christ. 

I have featured a different Advent calendar each year since 2016.  This year we are featuring "Jesus is the Bridge" calendar.  Actually, this calendar does not have a Christian message - however, I have adapted it to show the true meaning of Christmas - The birth of Jesus Christ our Savior!!

If you missed yesterday click HERE for DAY#8

Why the bridge you might be asking?  Well, Jesus Christ is the reason why there is no longer any division between us.  In Galatians 3:28 (see picture below) we learn that we are ALL one in Christ.  That means it does NOT matter what color your skin is, nor what gender, it does not matter if you are from Palestine or from Israel and it does NOT matter which way you lean (politically speaking).  WE ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST - Jesus is the bridge that gets rid of all division and separation. 

Today is December 9th and I am opening Box9

Inside we find:

A toy shop and a little boy picking out a snow globe.

Jesus is the Bridge that removes the division between young and old because when we accept Jesus, we become children of God and are young in spirit.  

"But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.”
Matthew 19:14

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Last year I did a daily video "Advent Calendar Devotion" - Below is 

December 9th:

 click HERE to view

"December 9th - Advent Calendar Daily Devotion"

DAY#8 - Jesus is the Bridge Advent Calendar

DAY#8  Jesus is the Bridge Advent Calendar

Welcome to Advent Season 2023!!  Advent is the season that begins the celebration of Jesus' coming to earth.  The word "Advent" is derived from the Latin word "adventus" which means "coming".  During Advent, Christians celebrate the birth of the Messiah Jesus but it is also a time to prepare for the second coming of Christ. 

I have featured a different Advent calendar each year since 2016.  This year we are featuring "Jesus is the Bridge" calendar.  Actually, this calendar does not have a Christian message - however, I have adapted it to show the true meaning of Christmas - The birth of Jesus Christ our Savior!!

If you missed yesterday click HERE for DAY#7

Why the bridge you might be asking?  Well, Jesus Christ is the reason why there is no longer any division between us.  In Galatians 3:28 (see picture below) we learn that we are ALL one in Christ.  That means it does NOT matter what color your skin is, nor what gender, it does not matter if you are from Palestine or from Israel and it does NOT matter which way you lean (politically speaking).  WE ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST - Jesus is the bridge that gets rid of all division and separation. 

Today is December 8th and I am opening Box8

Inside we find:

A busy town center and the townspeople are shopping.

(actually, they are going to visit "santa" but as I previously stated - I have tweaked this calendar to show the True meaning of Christmas).

Jesus is the Bridge over despair and poverty joining us to abundant provision from God's Kingdom.   

"And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:19"

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Last year I did a daily video "Advent Calendar Devotion" - Below is 

December 8th:

 click HERE to view

"December 8th - Advent Calendar Daily Devotion"

JOY (First of Advent) - Joy & Gladness

JOY (First of Advent) - Joy & Gladness

This is a delayed posting - The First of Advent was last Sunday December 3rd but I had to be at a very important Memorial Service.

This year, during Advent Season we are going to be focusing on JOY.  Even though during the Christmas season we seem to show our "joy" through festivities, food, decorations and gifts - deep down many are sad and depressed.  In this material society we lose truth and authenticity.

When researching for this series, I was amazed at how many times the word "joy" occurs in the Bible!  Today we will be studying "joy & gladness", and we will begin with basic definitions of each word:

Joy - the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires.  Bliss, cheer, delight, glee.  (the opposite is: sorrow & sadness)

Gladness -  experiencing pleasure, joy, or delight : made happy.  Overjoyed, cheerful, pleased. (the opposite is:  depression & unhappiness) 

The Scripture passage below is the reason why we should be exuding joy all the time (not just during Christmas):   

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

Luke 2:10-11

Even throughout the Old Testament, "joy and gladness" happens often in response to God's goodness.  In the Scripture passage below, the Jews had just been saved from annihilation.  Because of God's greatness the Jews even made it into a holiday: 

Before Jesus came to save EVERYONE, we were all in complete darkness and separation from our Heavenly Father.  In the first verse below we see that through Jesus Christ we were transferred into the Kingdom of God and saved from the kingdom of darkness!!!  That certainly is a reason to be overjoyed with glee!

The grace & mercy that we have received through Jesus Christ (see second verse below) is more than enough to make us be glad and rejoice all the days of our life!!!

In a not-so-popular Christmas hymn we see the joy and gladness that the Wise Men must have experience when they saw the star:

"As with gladness men of old

did the guiding star behold;

as with joy they hailed its light,

leading onward, beaming bright;

so, most gracious God, may we

evermore be led to Thee."

(from Christmas hymn - "As With Gladness Men of Old")

Depression cannot exist when we are focusing on Jesus Christ and a blissful eternity because of what He sacrificed for us.  All we have to do is accept God's gift of forgiveness and eternal life.  

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You might be interested in viewing this video:

click HERE to view

"Family Worship Time During Advent"

DAY#7 - Jesus is the Bridge Advent Calendar

DAY#7  Jesus is the Bridge Advent Calendar

Welcome to Advent Season 2023!!  Advent is the season that begins the celebration of Jesus' coming to earth.  The word "Advent" is derived from the Latin word "adventus" which means "coming".  During Advent, Christians celebrate the birth of the Messiah Jesus but it is also a time to prepare for the second coming of Christ. 

I have featured a different Advent calendar each year since 2016.  This year we are featuring "Jesus is the Bridge" calendar.  Actually, this calendar does not have a Christian message - however, I have adapted it to show the true meaning of Christmas - The birth of Jesus Christ our Savior!!

If you missed yesterday click HERE for DAY#6

Why the bridge you might be asking?  Well, Jesus Christ is the reason why there is no longer any division between us.  In Galatians 3:28 (see picture below) we learn that we are ALL one in Christ.  That means it does NOT matter what color your skin is, nor what gender, it does not matter if you are from Palestine or from Israel and it does NOT matter which way you lean (politically speaking).  WE ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST - Jesus is the bridge that gets rid of all division and separation. 

Today is December 7th and I am opening Box7

Inside we find:

A charming little village with the church being the focal point.

Jesus is the Bridge overcoming religion and dogma, thereby freeing us to worship our Heavenly Father in spirit and in truth.   

"But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship Him that way."

John 4:23

Copyright, Permissions & Disclaimer

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Last year I did a daily video "Advent Calendar Devotion" - Below is December 7th:

 click HERE to view

"December 7th - Advent Calendar Daily Devotion"

DAY#6 - Jesus is the Bridge Advent Calendar

DAY#6  Jesus is the Bridge Advent Calendar

Welcome to Advent Season 2023!!  Advent is the season that begins the celebration of Jesus' coming to earth.  The word "Advent" is derived from the Latin word "adventus" which means "coming".  During Advent, Christians celebrate the birth of the Messiah Jesus but it is also a time to prepare for the second coming of Christ. 

I have featured a different Advent calendar each year since 2016.  This year we are featuring "Jesus is the Bridge" calendar.  Actually, this calendar does not have a Christian message - however, I have adapted it to show the true meaning of Christmas - The birth of Jesus Christ our Savior!!

If you missed yesterday click HERE for DAY#5

Why the bridge you might be asking?  Well, Jesus Christ is the reason why there is no longer any division between us.  In Galatians 3:28 (see picture below) we learn that we are ALL one in Christ.  That means it does NOT matter what color your skin is, nor what gender, it does not matter if you are from Palestine or from Israel and it does NOT matter which way you lean (politically speaking).  WE ARE ALL ONE IN CHRIST - Jesus is the bridge that gets rid of all division and separation. 

Today is December 6th and I am opening Box6

Inside we find:

A beautiful living room in the process of being decorated.

Jesus is the Bridge over defeat joining us to confidence (trust in God) and endurance.   

"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.

 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised."

Hebrews 10:35-36

Copyright, Permissions & Disclaimer

_____________________________________________________________________

Last year I did a daily video "Advent Calendar Devotion" - Below is December 6th:

 click HERE to view

"December 6th - Advent Calendar Daily Devotion"