This is the third week of Advent. Join me as we celebrate the coming of Jesus with praise.
“Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 52:9)
Advent is a season of preparation, and a time of celebration. As we ready our hearts for Christmas, praise and joy permeate many aspects of our lives.
The colorful lights, the heaping dinner tables, the soaring choir music—these all underscore and physically embody the feelings that this season brings.
How can we not praise our redeemer? How can we not feel joy for the best gift we have ever received?
We are imperfect people living imperfect lives; all sinners who suffer and struggle through our days. We are the ruins of Jerusalem.
But then He came.
Jesus was born and it was the start of our redemption. He took away our sins and our pain, and gave us forgiveness, comfort, and hope.
When we are given good news, we usually celebrate. Jesus is that good news.
Jesus is worth the songs and hymns that we sing with our friends and family, that we hum to our little ones, and that we choke up on during a candlelight service.
He is worth the bright strings of lights and the decorative ornaments on our living room trees. He is worth the fancy gift bows on the boxes underneath them.
And he is worth the elaborate feasts we prepare, the loving fellowship of the people around the table, and the heartfelt prayer said before the first bite is eaten.
So, let’s spend this third week of Advent rejoicing, knowing that a child was born that would one day save the world. And not just the world, but us in it.
This week, we light the third candle on our Advent wreaths, for He was born to our everlasting joy.
Have a blessed Monday!
For the First Week of this Advent series, click here. For the Second Week, click here.
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