JOY = THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT!

JOY! JOY!! JOY!!!

Whether in person, live-stream or later on YouTube, we celebrated 3 Advent services today; blessed by each as we focused on the coming birth of our Savior Jesus. Each had a church family light the candle and explain its color and place in the wreath.

A small church celebrated their Christmas Cantata as a UMC choir 35 miles away joined a FBC to add voices to Advent celebration. Singing. Sharing Responsive reading among the choir including verses from Luke 2. Having a children's lesson at the altar to explain the first pink candle to be lit known as the shepherd's candle. Congregational singing "Joy to the World."

Live-stream church FEC in a later time-zone had a large sanctuary and choir loft filled with the city orchestra plus church members seniors and teens played instruments as well.

A children's choir joined the adult choir as the service began.

Little man in plaid, front row knew all the hand motions & could have led the entire group. A special treat was the acceptance of one little fellow, whose family I know well, who treated all to a view of his belly-button a couple of times. (Adorable front row little guy in black & white to far right)

A hymn/carol included, 'Silent Night, Lonely Night" was new to me but the words rang as the words told of the difficulties of life that can darken ones life and weary ones  with trials..... BUT God offers peace and comfort for one's soul when His son Jesus entered bore sorrows and offered eventually offered his redeeming blood Christ the Savior, in whom is all our hope. All is calm and bright.

YouTube Service had excellent visuals as the Matthew 1 responsive reading was led by the two lighting the candle together. I chose a few of my favorites; to reflect the reason for the Advent season. 

Thank you LORD for blessing me over and over again as each church today included HARK THE HEARLD ANGELS SING  as one they chose to sing. 

A Christmas carol close to my heart

3 great ways to celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent!

CHRISTMAS MESSAGE!

Unto us a child is born! Unto us a Son is given:...(Isaiah 9:6)

Joy to the world! The Lord has come. Let earth receive her King ....and every heart prepare Him room!

Merry Christmas!

I LOVE A PARADE!

I love a parade especially in Bryson City, North Carolina where Jesus is the reason for the season!

Candy might be shared with the children....

 but so are tracts passed out along the parade route and in store windows. 

From Mayor Tom, the Grinch in the Sheriff's car....

and Santa Claus to the Fire Department, high school bands, teams, floats and lots of horses, 

and others animals provided fun for all!

with a great reminder to close the parade! (John 3:16)

Merry Christmas from small town America!

JOY! JOY!! JOY!!!

JOY to the World! How about JOY in the world!

Where does JOY begin? Years ago I learned that true JOY begins with Jesus. The Lord is our cup of blessing as He is always with us. JOY continues as we serve others well...as God loves us, by putting others before self. Self is last in the recipe for JOY. True JOY comes to us as we put Jesus and others first.

This acrostic has helped me remember that.

Jesus

Others

  Yourself

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)

Holiday Gra-TEA-tude

……give thanks to him and praise his name. (Psalm 100:4, NIV)

Amy Grant’s rendition of “Joy to the World” is streaming as I type. How easy it seems to be thankful when one's tuned in to the "music of the soul." 
To me, Christmas carols are just that---soulful music of the wonder of the nativity.

G. K. Chesterton said, "Gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder."

Certainly the wonder of the season adds to my joy…..”And wonders of His love, and wonders of His love and wonders and wonders of His love.” 

A cuppa graTEA-tude rich with the wonder of the Christmas season is a perfect way to celebrate the Lord’s birth.