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Overview Advent Advent 2025 - Week #1 Advent 2025 - Week #2 Advent 2025 - Week #3

  By many in the culture into which Jesus was born, the shepherds were considered less than “ordinary” people. If the shepherds based their joy solely on circumstances and how they may have been treated, it may have been difficult for them to find much joy.  However, the chances are that there were plenty of shepherds who lived with joy because they did not focus on circumstances alone; these may have reveled in the gift of life, and hopefully, the Presence of God. So, in light of the joy some shepherds may have lived and particularly, the unexpected JOY God brought to them on that less-than-silent night ….

  • Can you relate to the shepherds in anyway, i.e., you feel discounted as an “ordinary” person, your circumstances are less than appealing, yet you have been surprised by God’s joy, etc.?

 

  • Do you or can you accept that God’s Joy is for all people, including you? His joy is for ALL people who will believe & receive Him, His Joy is centered in Jesus, and His Joy (namely, Jesus) is not hidden from any who want to believe & follow.

 

  • In consideration of all the other texts, what continues to grab your attention and your heart about the joy God gives and that His people have? Are you “changed” by His joy in any way?

 

  • Are there other texts about joy that come to mind that bring you even more joy?

 

Now ...

  • PRAY for God to continue to stir the thoughts that He may have planted in your mind due to engaging this reflection time. 
  • SEEK more knowledge on the topic(s) from the Bible, another believer, and in more prayer as you ask The Holy Spirit to lead you into His Truth. 

  If you would like more resources to explore what you think God may be showing you for this time in your life, the internet can have some excellent resoruces.  HOWEVER, you must also be aware that there are questionable resources. 

  Feel free to chat with one of our pastors or any other seasoned believer whom you trust.

KEEP PRAYING and SEEKING God during this season .... and every season thereafter!

 

For those on the younger side, try KIDvent - Advent for Kids.