the joy of advent. luke 2:1-5 in those days caesar augustus issued a decree that a census should be...

THE JOY OF THE JOY OF ADVENTADVENT

Luke 2:1-5Luke 2:1-5

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register. register.

So Joseph also went up from the town of So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.married to him and was expecting a child.

Luke 2:6-7Luke 2:6-7

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

Luke 2:8-12Luke 2:8-12

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

Luke 2:13-16Luke 2:13-16

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.and the baby, who was lying in the manger.

Luke 2:17-20Luke 2:17-20

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

Joy at the Triumphal EntryJoy at the Triumphal EntryLuke 19:37- 44Luke 19:37- 44

Joy from the Women When Told Joy from the Women When Told Jesus had Risen!Jesus had Risen!

Matthew 28:1-10Matthew 28:1-10

I. The Joy of the ShepherdsI. The Joy of the Shepherds

A. How did they get their joy?A. How did they get their joy?

I. The Joy of the Shepherds I. The Joy of the Shepherds

1. They were visited by the 1. They were visited by the angels.angels.

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. –v9 they were terrified. –v9


2. They were given the good 2. They were given the good news.news.

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


3. This was the fulfilled 3. This was the fulfilled expectation of over 500 years!expectation of over 500 years!


B. How did it affect them?B. How did it affect them?


B. How did it affect them?B. How did it affect them?When they had seen him, they When they had seen him, they spread the word spread the word

concerning what had been told themconcerning what had been told them about about this child, and all who heard it were amazed this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. – v17-at what the shepherds said to them. – v17-1818


B. How did it affect them?B. How did it affect them?The shepherds returned, The shepherds returned, glorifying and glorifying and

praising Godpraising God for all the things they had for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. – v20had been told. – v20


I. The Joy of the ShepherdsI. The Joy of the ShepherdsII. The Joy of Simeon II. The Joy of Simeon –– Luke 2:25-35Luke 2:25-35

A. How did he get his joy?A. How did he get his joy?

II. II. The Joy of SimeonThe Joy of Simeon

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the was waiting for the consolationconsolation of Israel, of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. – v25-26Lord’s Christ. – v25-26

1. 1. ConsolationConsolation ( (παράκλησιςπαράκλησις) ) = a = a calling to one’s side, calling to one’s side, encouragement, comfort.encouragement, comfort.


Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s ChristLord’s Christ. – v25-26. – v25-26

2. He was waiting for God to act 2. He was waiting for God to act on Israel’s behalf during his on Israel’s behalf during his lifetime.lifetime.


Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s ChristLord’s Christ. – v25-26. – v25-26

3. God gave him a promise that 3. God gave him a promise that his dreams would come true in his dreams would come true in this baby.this baby.


B. How did it affect him?B. How did it affect him?


Simeon took him in his arms and praised God – Simeon took him in his arms and praised God – v28v28

1. Simeon embraced the baby & 1. Simeon embraced the baby & praised God.praised God.


Then Simeon Then Simeon blessed themblessed them and said to Mary, and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” – v34-35soul too.” – v34-35

2. He blessed the baby & His 2. He blessed the baby & His family.family.



III. The Joy of Anna III. The Joy of Anna – Luke 3:36-38– Luke 3:36-38

A. How did she get her joy?A. How did she get her joy?

III. The Joy of AnnaIII. The Joy of Anna

There was also a There was also a prophetessprophetess, Anna, the , Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until and then was a widow until she was eighty-she was eighty-fourfour. She . She never left the templenever left the temple but but worshiped night and day, fasting and worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. – v36-37praying. – v36-37

1. She was an 84 year old 1. She was an 84 year old prophetess living in the temple prophetess living in the temple area.area.


There was also a prophetess, Anna, the There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She four. She never left the temple but never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and worshiped night and day, fasting and prayingpraying. – v36-37. – v36-37

2. She dedicated herself to 2. She dedicated herself to praising God continually.praising God continually.


B. How did it affect her?B. How did it affect her?


Coming up to them at that very moment, she Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to Godgave thanks to God and spoke about the and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. – v38redemption of Jerusalem. – v38

1. She continued praising the 1. She continued praising the Lord!Lord!


Coming up to them at that very moment, she Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and gave thanks to God and spoke about the spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalemredemption of Jerusalem. – v38. – v38

1. She continued praising the 1. She continued praising the Lord!Lord!

2. She spoke to everyone in the 2. She spoke to everyone in the temple about Him!temple about Him!




IV. The Joy of the Magi IV. The Joy of the Magi – Matthew 2:1-12– Matthew 2:1-12


IV. The Joy of the MagiIV. The Joy of the Magi


1. They read God’s word!1. They read God’s word!Numbers 24:17 - . . . A star will come out of Numbers 24:17 - . . . A star will come out of

Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel . . . Israel . . .



1. They read God’s word!1. They read God’s word!

2. They sacrificed their time & 2. They sacrificed their time & treasure.treasure.



1. They read God’s word!1. They read God’s word!

2. They sacrificed their time & 2. They sacrificed their time & treasure.treasure.

3. They endangered themselves.3. They endangered themselves.



4. They were encouraged by King 4. They were encouraged by King Herod & were told where to Herod & were told where to

find find who they were looking who they were looking for.for.


A. How did they get their joy?A. How did they get their joy?After they had heard the king, they went on After they had heard the king, they went on

their way, and their way, and the star they had seen in the the star they had seen in the east went ahead of themeast went ahead of them until it stopped until it stopped over the place where the child was. – over the place where the child was. – Matthew 2:9Matthew 2:9

5. They discovered the star!5. They discovered the star!


B. How did it affect them?B. How did it affect them?


When they saw the star, When they saw the star, they were overjoyedthey were overjoyed. . On coming to the house, they saw the child On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh. – v10-11gold and of incense and of myrrh. – v10-11

1. They were overjoyed.1. They were overjoyed.


When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and and worshiped himworshiped him. Then they . Then they opened their opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrhgold and of incense and of myrrh. – v10-11. – v10-11

1. They were overjoyed.1. They were overjoyed.

2. They worshipped Jesus & gave 2. They worshipped Jesus & gave Him their treasures.Him their treasures.




IV. The Joy of the Magi IV. The Joy of the Magi – Matthew 2:1-12– Matthew 2:1-12

V. Where Do You Get Your Joy?V. Where Do You Get Your Joy?

A. God’s will for you is to be joyful & A. God’s will for you is to be joyful & pray.pray.



Philippians 4:4 - Philippians 4:4 - RejoiceRejoice in the Lord always. I in the Lord always. I will say it again: will say it again: RejoiceRejoice!!



Philippians 4:4 - Philippians 4:4 - RejoiceRejoice in the Lord always. I in the Lord always. I will say it again: will say it again: RejoiceRejoice!!

I Thessalonians 5:16-18 - I Thessalonians 5:16-18 - Be joyfulBe joyful always; always; pray continually; give thankspray continually; give thanks in all in all circumstances, for this is God's will for circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.you in Christ Jesus.


B. The Lord provides us with the B. The Lord provides us with the ultimate joy – Himself & His love!ultimate joy – Himself & His love!

John 15:11 - I have told you this so that my joy John 15:11 - I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be may be in you and that your joy may be complete. complete.


C. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.C. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.Galatians 5:22 - But the fruit of the Spirit is Galatians 5:22 - But the fruit of the Spirit is

love, love, joyjoy, peace, patience, kindness, , peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness . . .goodness, faithfulness . . .


D. You get joy through fellowship & D. You get joy through fellowship & seeing new people join the seeing new people join the ranks.ranks.

I Thessalonians 2:19 - For what is our hope, I Thessalonians 2:19 - For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed, comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our you are our glory and joy.glory and joy.


E. You get joy when you get answers E. You get joy when you get answers to your prayers.to your prayers.

John 16:24 - Until now you have not asked for John 16:24 - Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. anything in my name. Ask and you will Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.receive, and your joy will be complete.


F. You get joy through suffering.F. You get joy through suffering.I Peter 4:13-14 - But rejoice that you participate I Peter 4:13-14 - But rejoice that you participate

in the sufferings of Christin the sufferings of Christ, so that you may , so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.glory and of God rests on you.


Do you want joy this Christmas?Do you want joy this Christmas?


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


Bless others like Simeon.Bless others like Simeon.


Be thankful like Anna.Be thankful like Anna.


Worship & bring Him your treasures Worship & bring Him your treasures like the Magi.like the Magi.


- Then –- Then –

Experience the joy they had!Experience the joy they had!

the joy of advent. luke 2:1-5 in those days caesar augustus issued a decree that a census should be...

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