Advent 2020 Booklet
Advent Readings
The intent of this series is to dig into the mystery of the incarnation. To look at how the HOPE of the Messiah could only be met by something that was greater than expected. How the power of the incarnation conquered the greatest power in the world and brought PEACE. How the LOVE of God manifested in the incarnation is both how we can find ourselves loved and find the motivation for loving others. How the glory of God, manifested in a man, becomes our JOY and changes us into worshippers.
HOPE — a LIGHT bright enough to shine back
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1.1-3
In order to experience the anticipation of Jesus coming, we need to find our HOPE firmly rooted in what this creation was created to be, and the perfection it is returning to. To do this, we go back to the beginning, to look at how God prepared a world bathed in light for us to enjoy. He gave us creation as a picture of His goodness. As we prepare for the light to enter into the world, we look to the world around us as a picture of our God?
PEACE — a LIGHT bright enough to outshine darkness
In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1.4-5
In order to experience the anticipation of Jesus coming, we have to know the PEACE that comes from being rescued. It is too easy to get used to the darkness; to assume there is no other way. When this happens we run from God as we pursue our own answers to the difficulty of life. Knowing why we are in darkness helps us to see that this is not inevitable. Knowing we have a God who is more powerful, allows us to see another way. As we prepare for the light to enter into the world, we look at our sin as the reason He had to come?
LOVE — a LIGHT bright enough to provide warmth
The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1.9-13
In order to experience the anticipation of Jesus coming, we have to know the LOVE He has for us. Without the love of God, the things that we go through in this life are unbearable: they have no purpose and they are out of God’s control. His love shows us that all that is happening is for redemption; all things work together for good. As we prepare for the light to enter into the world, we look at our how His love is revealed through Jesus.
JOY — a LIGHT bright enough to shine today
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. [17] For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known. John 1.14-18
In order to experience the anticipation of Jesus coming, we have to be excited for Him to come. It is easy for us to get excited about the temporary things that are right in front of us; things that are easy to get and that offer an immediate gratification. In Jesus, we get the gift of eternal satisfaction. It is no longer about finding the next searching out the next moment of happiness, but exploring the depth of what we already have been given. As we prepare for the light to enter into the world, we look at the gift that was given to us.