THE JOY OF ADVENT

Luke 2:1-5 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.

Luke 2:6-7 While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Luke 2:8-12 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Luke 2:13-16 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

Luke 2:17-20 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

Joy at the Triumphal Entry Luke 19:37- 44

Joy from the Women When Told Jesus had Risen! Matthew 28:1-10

I. The Joy of the Shepherds

A. How did they get their joy? I. The Joy of the Shepherds

1. They were visited by the angels. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. –v9 I. The Joy of the Shepherds

2. They were given the good news. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” – v10-12 I. The Joy of the Shepherds

3. This was the fulfilled expectation of over 500 years! I. The Joy of the Shepherds

B. How did it affect them? I. The Joy of the Shepherds

B. How did it affect them? When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. – v I. The Joy of the Shepherds

B. How did it affect them? The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. – v20 I. The Joy of the Shepherds

II. The Joy of Simeon – Luke 2:25-35

A. How did he get his joy? II. The Joy of Simeon

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. – v Consolation ( παράκλησις ) = a calling to one’s side, encouragement, comfort. II. The Joy of Simeon

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. – v He was waiting for God to act on Israel’s behalf during his lifetime. II. The Joy of Simeon

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. – v God gave him a promise that his dreams would come true in this baby. II. The Joy of Simeon

B. How did it affect him? II. The Joy of Simeon

Simeon took him in his arms and praised God – v28 1. Simeon embraced the baby & praised God. II. The Joy of Simeon

Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” – v He blessed the baby & His family. II. The Joy of Simeon

I. The Joy of the Shepherds II. The Joy of Simeon – Luke 2:25-35 III. The Joy of Anna – Luke 3:36-38

A. How did she get her joy? III. The Joy of Anna

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty- four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. – v She was an 84 year old prophetess living in the temple area. III. The Joy of Anna

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty- four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. – v She dedicated herself to praising God continually. III. The Joy of Anna

B. How did it affect her? III. The Joy of Anna

Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. – v38 1. She continued praising the Lord! III. The Joy of Anna

Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. – v38 1. She continued praising the Lord! 2. She spoke to everyone in the temple about Him! III. The Joy of Anna

I. The Joy of the Shepherds II. The Joy of Simeon – Luke 2:25-35 III. The Joy of Anna – Luke 3:36-38 IV. The Joy of the Magi – Matthew 2:1-12

A. How did they get their joy? IV. The Joy of the Magi

A. How did they get their joy? 1. They read God’s word! Numbers 24: A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel... IV. The Joy of the Magi

A. How did they get their joy? 1. They read God’s word! 2. They sacrificed their time & treasure. IV. The Joy of the Magi

A. How did they get their joy? 1. They read God’s word! 2. They sacrificed their time & treasure. 3. They endangered themselves. IV. The Joy of the Magi

A. How did they get their joy? 4. They were encouraged by King Herod & were told where to find who they were looking for. IV. The Joy of the Magi

A. How did they get their joy? After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. – Matthew 2:9 5. They discovered the star! IV. The Joy of the Magi

B. How did it affect them? IV. The Joy of the Magi

When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. – v They were overjoyed. IV. The Joy of the Magi

When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. – v They were overjoyed. 2. They worshipped Jesus & gave Him their treasures. IV. The Joy of the Magi

I. The Joy of the Shepherds II. The Joy of Simeon – Luke 2:25-35 III. The Joy of Anna – Luke 3:36-38 IV. The Joy of the Magi – Matthew 2:1-12 V. Where Do You Get Your Joy?

A. God’s will for you is to be joyful & pray. V. Where Do You Get Your Joy?

A. God’s will for you is to be joyful & pray. Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! V. Where Do You Get Your Joy?

A. God’s will for you is to be joyful & pray. Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! I Thessalonians 5: Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. V. Where Do You Get Your Joy?

B. The Lord provides us with the ultimate joy – Himself & His love! John 15:11 - I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. V. Where Do You Get Your Joy?

C. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22 - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness... V. Where Do You Get Your Joy?

D. You get joy through fellowship & seeing new people join the ranks. I Thessalonians 2:19 - For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy. V. Where Do You Get Your Joy?

E. You get joy when you get answers to your prayers. John 16:24 - Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete. V. Where Do You Get Your Joy?

F. You get joy through suffering. I Peter 4: But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. V. Where Do You Get Your Joy?

Do you want joy this Christmas?

Tell people about the Lord & praise Him like the Shepherds did.

Do you want joy this Christmas? Bless others like Simeon.

Do you want joy this Christmas? Be thankful like Anna.

Do you want joy this Christmas? Worship & bring Him your treasures like the Magi.

Do you want joy this Christmas? - Then – Experience the joy they had!