JOY TO THE WORLD: JESUS IS COMING BACK

Today, many are still walking and living in the land of deep darkness. The darkness is both spiritual and physical. Alison Morgan in her book, ‘The Wild Gospel: Bringing truth to life,’ points to an example of spiritual darkness when ‘we easily adopt a watered-down Christianity in which Jesus is viewed through our own particular spectacles and made to fit with the values of our culture.’ Beyond the annual ritual of Advent and Carol singing and shopping, Advent is a call to wake up from our dull eyes of familiarity, lest like the foolish virgins we sleep through the critical hour when God’s kingdom breaks in and the Messiah returns.

Advent calls us to ask ourselves: Do we have the hope, peace, and joy that Jesus offers? Every effort we exert to be joyful is an exercise in futility if we try to do it by our own power in the deep darkness of this world. Advent connects us to Jesus Christ and without the connection to Jesus, who is the source of our power and joy, we will be fruitless and sad. Advent connects us to the true story and testimony of Jesus hence, the need to turn from walking in darkness of this world to joy of our salvation. Advent without the vision of Christ return points to danger of missing out on the Good News of salvation and joy. Advent is a reminder that our redemption is drawing near. Jesus is our source of joy! The apostle Paul said it this way, “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon” (Philippians 4:4-5).

Prayer: In Psalm 30:10–12, David describes how God had removed his sackcloth and exchanged it for joy:
“’Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me; Lord, be my help.’ You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.” Ask God to give you joy for your spiritual, mental, emotional and physical sackcloth.