JOY (Fourth of Advent) - Shout, Sing, Leap

JOY (Fourth of Advent) - Shout, Sing, Leap

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

Over the last three weeks we have learned about:

Joy & Gladness

(click HERE to view)

Joy & Peace

(click HERE to view)

Overflowing & Joy-Filled

(click HERE to view)

And today the title is: "Shout, Sing, Leap."

Forgiveness & eternal life for EVERYONE through Jesus Christ is certainly reason to SHOUT, SING & LEAP for Joy!!! 

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. 

Shout - a sudden outcry expressing joy, exultation, animated courage. 

Sing - to relate or celebrate something in verse.

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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 couldn't believe how many times throughout the entire Bible that theses three ways of expressing JOY were referenced:

Shout

Sing

Leap

My favorite verses are those talking about even nature singing and shouting for joy.  Look at the passage above (Psalm 65):

- "the little hills rejoice on every side"

- "they shout for joy"

- "they also sing"

When we are weak or going through difficult times, try focusing on the joy that we have through Jesus Christ's sacrifice.......then that joy will give you strength to continue on through hard times. 

"...for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

Nehemiah 8:10

The most amazing "leap for joy" occurred when Mary visited Elizabeth.  Both were pregnant at the time (Elizabeth was just about to give birth to John the Baptist and Mary was just newly pregnant with Jesus).  In Luke 1:44 Elizabeth felt John the Baptist leap for joy in her womb when she heard Mary's voice!!

I am ending this post with three amazing verses (see 2 pictures above) showing how God's creation rejoices in Him:

- hills burst into song

-  trees clap their hands

-  forest sings for joy

-  rivers clap their hands

- mountains sing together for joy

Let's shout, sing & leap for joy this Christmas season because our Savior Jesus Christ came to free EVERYONE.

  

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You might be interested in viewing this video:

click HERE to view

"Joseph's Faithful Actions"

DAY#24 - Jesus is the Bridge Advent Calendar

DAY#24  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#23

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 Christmas Eve, December 24th and I am opening Box24 the final box on this calendar.

Inside we find:

A lovely view of the town at night but with "santa" and his sleigh flying through the moonlit sky.

(You will see in the closeup picture below that I placed a cross over "santa's sleigh" to show that the real reason for Christmas celebration is the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ).

Jesus is the Bridge over spiritual blindness and trickery connecting us to sight, sincerity and clarity.

"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.  And no wonder! For satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light."

2 Corinthians 11:13-14

FYI - The signature on this calendar is not very clear - I think it says "H. Hargrove"

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

December 24th:

click HERE to view

"December 24th - Advent Calendar Daily Devotion"

DAY#23 - Jesus is the Bridge Advent Calendar

DAY#23  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#22

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 23rd and I am opening Box23

Inside we find:

"santa" checking the "naughty/nice" list.

(You will see in the closeup below that I placed a cross over his face to imply that the real reason for Christmas celebration is the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ).

I'm repeating this again (I said this in an earlier post) - "santa" is NOT Christmas.  I believe that this childhood story or "harmless fun" is actually harmful.  Even though I was raised with this fairy tale, I really feel that it is deceptive and unnecessary.

Jesus is the Bridge over "satan's" lies, joining us with the Truth.

"........he (satan) was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it."

John 8:44

FYI - The signature on this calendar is not very clear - I think it says "H. Hargrove"

Copyright, Permissions & Disclaimer

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

December 23rd:

click HERE to view

"December 23rd- Advent Calendar Daily Devotion"

DAY#22 - Jesus is the Bridge Advent Calendar

DAY#22 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#21

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 22nd and I am opening Box22

Inside we find:

St. Nicholas - but as I said before - Christmas is about the birth of Jesus Christ and nothing else.  This saint may have been respectable but NOBODY should be worshiped besides God.

(You will see in the picture below that I placed a cross over his face to imply that the real reason for celebration is the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ).

I said this in an earlier post but want to reiterate - "santa" or "st. nicholas" is NOT Christmas.  I believe that this childhood story or "harmless fun" is actually harmful.  Even though I was raised with this fairy tale, I really feel that it is deceptive and unnecessary.

Jesus is the Bridge over the fake and counterfeit connecting us to the genuine and authentic.

"The time will come when people will not listen to the truth. They will look for teachers who will tell them only what they want to hear.  They will not listen to the truth. Instead, they will listen to stories made up by men."

2 Timothy 4:3-4

FYI - The signature on this calendar is not very clear - I think it says "H. Hargrove"

Copyright, Permissions & Disclaimer

_____________________________________________________________________

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

December 22nd:

click HERE to view

"December 22nd - Advent Calendar Daily Devotion"

DAY#21 - Jesus is the Bridge Advent Calendar

DAY#21  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#20

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 21st and I am opening Box21

Inside we find:

A town-square Christmas tree lighting with many generous gifts underneath.

Jesus is the Bridge over uncaring, thoughtlessness connecting us to compassion and kindness.

"Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done."

Proverbs 19:17

Copyright, Permissions & Disclaimer

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

December 21st:

click HERE to view

"December 21st - Advent Calendar Daily Devotion"

DAY#20 - Jesus is the Bridge Advent Calendar

DAY#20  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#19

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 20th and I am opening Box20

Inside we find:

A warm small town church shown from the outside but all the lights are on inside - implying that the congregation is inside celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the Bridge over dismissal and disapproval joining us with approval and acceptance because our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit!

"Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?  For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s."

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Copyright, Permissions & Disclaimer

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

December 20th:

click HERE to view

"December 20th - Advent Calendar Daily Devotion"

DAY#19 - Jesus is the Bridge Advent Calendar

DAY#19  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#18

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 19th and I am opening Box19

Inside we find:

A wonderful town scene showing people enjoying each other's company - they are skating, sledding, building a snowman and riding in a horse-drawn sleigh.

Jesus is the Bridge over hate and condemnation - instead connecting us to love and enjoyment!

"He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.  But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes."

1 John 2:9-11

Copyright, Permissions & Disclaimer

_____________________________________________________________________

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

December 19th:

click HERE to view

"December 19th - Advent Calendar Daily Devotion"