Third Sunday of Advent: Joy

Advent

“Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” This honest question and doubt from John the Baptist echoes in the hearts of many of us. It reflects the difference between people’s expectations and the reality of the true character of Jesus - God with us. This time of year, we are saturated with manufactured cheerfulness; we can have joy in the promises of God and His kingdom despite our experiences of loneliness and despair.

Scripture passage: Matthew 11:1-11

Respond:

• The advent of Jesus Christ comes with good news. It’s an invitation to be transformed.  What is the Holy Spirit inviting to be transformed in you? Is it a relationship in your life? Is it how you steward your time, finances and abilities? Is it an invitation to slow down and listen to your gut, your soul? Is it a fundamental change of heart?

• Emmanuel, God with us, does not remove all our troubles but enters our suffering and accompanies us through them. Does this make a difference in your experience? How can God’s people faithfully accompany others through troubles?

• Jesus made a habit of bringing those who were excluded and marginalized (lepers, strangers and outsiders) into community and healing. As Jesus asks, what do you hear and see? In what ways do you see God’s kingdom at work and how can you participate in it?