Do you have joy?

It's December 3rd, and time for our 3rd installment of Songs for Advent. Today we're listening to Phil Wickham's, Joy To The World. This version premiered on Dec 13, 2021 as the official performance of "Joy To The World (Joyful Joyful) for the Live From The Chosen event. The song featured Jordan Feliz, Bryan & Katie Torwalt, Maverick City, The Bonner Family, and of course Phil Wickham.

So, why this song? Simple. It's time to experience the joy that comes at Christmas. We celebrate Christmas to remember the arrival of Jesus on earth. The angels declared His arrival saying, "“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." Luke 2 10-11 ESV.

Good news of GREAT JOY. Joy. Joy in response to the news, a Savior has been born. The world has waited for this moment. The promise of Genesis 3, enmity, has come. The promise is being fulfilled. What was broken by sin is being made new. Our rebellion meeting reconciliation. Hope, led by joy, has come.
 
The Gospel in flesh. Jesus, the baby born in Bethlehem, will be the one to crush the serpent and bring rescue to all the people.

Here's our question. Do you know the joy? 

This Christmas, we invite you to know the Savior born, Christ the Lord.

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A couple of years ago, one of our favorite holiday songs was by David Crowder, Thanks Giver. Released on November 18th, 2022, the song came as a reminder of God's faithfulness in the lives of His children.

2022 was a rough year. It started with Amy's diagnosis of breast cancer in January. January and February were spent trying to understand the kind of cancer it was and how best to deal with it. March through April was prepping for her coming surgery. May 2, in a 15 hour surgery, the cancer was removed and the 8 to 10 week recovery process began. But 2 weeks after the surgery, something went wrong and we were back for another multi-hour surgery. Now, more recovery.

In June, Amy's dad went into the hospital, then hospice, then passed. That was June 11th. Just days after his passing, Jay's dad went into the hospital. On July 4th, he passed. A couple of days later, Toby, our family Goldendoodle of almost 14 years suddenly passed. It was a rough summer.

2022 also marked the beginning of our kids leaving the nest. Our oldest had moved to Florida in 2019 for school. In 2022, he official became a Floridian. In January of 2022, our second born moved to New York. By February, he was married. An our third born, his job was taking him to Florida for 2 to 4 weeks every couple of weeks. 

By mid fall we were physically, emotionally, and spiritually empty. We decided to step out of ministry to allow for some time to grieve, heal, and seek God. As the holiday's approached, we started a season of transition. Our son, Logan, was the first to hear the song and sent it to Amy. At first listen, we knew this song would become something significant for us. Over the weeks that led to Thanksgiving, then Christmas, it was. And, to this day, the lyrics take us back to that season and the reminder that God gave.

The song begins with main character heading home for Thanksgiving and the anticipation of begin together with family and friends. The chorus takes us right to the truth that God is faithful and good and the One holds us in his hand. Verse two takes us into the Christmas season and the gift of Jesus and what that means for us. 

It was what we needed to hear; that in all that we were experiencing, the hard, the hurt, the grief, the fear, the God was still God and we had much to give thanks for.

I don't know what you might be experiencing this year, but as we step into the Advent season, can we encourage you with this reminder. God is still God. And He loves you. He is moving in your story. He is never far from you.

- Merry Christmas

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Advent is a time to anticipate the coming of the Savior. Advent means, arrival or coming. ​We love the Advent Season. Not only is it a fun way to countdown the days to Christmas, but it is a time to slow down, reflect, and consider the Nativity story. It's a time to intentionally, prayerfully, humbly, meditate on the gift that God gives through His son, Jesus Christ.

Advent celebrates His first coming; a baby, born a little over 2000 years ago. But Advent also calls us to look forward to His second coming, and the reconciliation He will bring. This coming will not be as a baby in a stable, but the coming of a king, the King who reigns on the highest highs. 

During this Advent season, we will celebrate in the traditional ways with candles, scripture readings, and calendars. But we will also celebrate with what we're calling, Songs for Advent.  Songs for Advent, is a 25 day countdown to Christmas morning, sharing some of our favorite Christmas music. These songs help us remember Jesus' first arrival while we anticipate His second coming. We hope these songs will help you slow down and consider the gift and love that comes through the King of kings. Let's crown Him.