This Sunday’s sermon explores the Advent theme of joy; not the fragile, surface-level joy the world offers, but the deep, unshakeable joy rooted in Christ. Through Mary in the chaos of the nativity and Paul in the confinement of a Roman prison, the Bible shows that true joy is not born from ideal circumstances but from the presence of Jesus. Mary rejoices while facing misunderstanding and uncertainty, and Paul sings and writes of rejoicing even with chains on his wrists. Their lives point us to Jesus; the One whose birth brought joy into darkness and whose cross secured our eternal joy. In Advent, hope leads to peace, and peace overflows into joy.
