Advent = from adventus in Latin meaning "coming" in reference to preparation.
In our case it is a person and an event. Christ the savior of the world. We prepare
our homes, we prepare our schedule and we prepare our food.
What we want to remind you is to prepare your heart.
A central theme must be Joy. Think of all the songs of joy in this season.
Luke 1:13-17 "the Angel says to Zacharis you will have joy and gladness and many will rejoice at his birth" – speaking of John the Baptist.
Luke1:39-55 "the baby leapt for joy" speaking of John the Baptist in the presence of Jesus – both in womb.
Luke2:10-14 "I bring you news of great joy" speaking to the shepherds.
Matthew 2:10-11 "when they saw the star they rejoiced with great joy" speaking of the wise men.
Let us rejoice as we receive so great a gift:
1. This is the light that takes us from our darkness
2. The sinless and most precious gift from heaven was sent to a wretched world
3. He is sight to the blind
4. He is hearing to the deaf
5. This gift is Life to the dead.
Anyone who receives it is emphatically grateful and it leads to a life of honor.
As obedience is a barometer for love so honor is to gratefulness.
Let's look at the shepherds; Luke 2:8-20
8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another,
Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.
16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
19But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.
20And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.
When you receive this Gift of Joy unspeakable you can only be grateful and honor the giver like the shepherds and wise men.
