There are a lot of different feelings that come for a lot of different reasons during this time of the year. There is, of course, the sense of anticipation, excitement, and joy that comes because of the festivities and the festival of Christmas. Anticipation and excitement grow for what is coming. Joy fills us as we remember and enjoy it.
At the same time, there is anxiety because of the preparations, grief and sadness because of who isn’t around this Christmas, and mounting pressure because of all the things going on. As happy as this time of year should be, many view this as one of the most stressful and depressing times of the year.
These are just a few of the feelings that we and other people have at this time of the year.
But there is more to it than all of that. And that’s what we want to do for you this Advent season. We’re going to uncover four Christmas emotions: Joy, Hope, Patience, and Confidence.
During this season, however, we do not just want to tell you about joy and tell you why you should be joyful; we’re going to seek to give you joy. Instead of telling you why you should be hopeful, we’re going to pray that the Spirit would work a hopeful expectation in you. You get the idea. Sunday, I’m not really going to preach about joy. I’m not really going to tell you what joy is. But it is my prayer that as we consider a portion of Paul’s letter of joy to the Philippians, God would fill your heart with joy and peace. It is a sense of gladness, thankfulness, and overflowing rejoicing that comes from God’s Spirit. I pray that God would give you joy on Sunday.
We’ll see you then! Pastor Nate
PS. Please take a look at the sign-up sheet below. Please sign up for the chili cook-off even if you do not plan to bring a chili. Based on current sign-ups, we will hold the chili cook-off in the community room. Use the link right here: Chili Cook-off