WELCOME

If you were to plan a ChristmasAway from homeWhere would you go?

Home. Exile. Return. This is the way of the human heart in the biblical narrative.

The Heart Comes Home To Joy.

In this Advent Season we look at the gift of Joy. Joy is a bubbling and sustained sense of God’s nearness, affection, and provision. In this season, with the gift of Jesus comes a deep sense of joy.

Lets read John 2:1-12.

In this passage, where did you find yourself remarking, resonating, wrestling, raising an eyebrow, raising anxiety or with a “umpf” or “hmm” moment?

Apparently, God loves a good party. From the divinely-commanded feasts of the ancient Hebrews, to Jesus’ first miracle happening at a wedding reception. It seems that the God of the interstellar fireworks has a knack for celebration.

Where else do you find Jesus or God ordaining a Party?

1. Feast of Passover2. Feast of Unleavened Bread3. Feast of First Fruits4. Celebration of Pentecost5. Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hoshanna)6. Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)*7. Feast of Tabernacles*with Celebration of Jubilee

Weddings are “parties with a purpose.”

Only the Gospel of John records that Jesus’ very first miracle was at a wedding.

As far as we know, from the time of the nativity story until this moment in Cana, Jesus has not done anything publicly that would signal that He has power beyond that of the average person.

“…and for some reason, Mary thinks that the simple situation of a banquet running dry of wine is the perfect opportunity to invite Jesus to do something “special.”

Jesus takes something average, water, and turns it into something extraordinary – the most flavorful wine.

The God of the heavens and the earth seems to find joy in converting the everyday waters of sustenance into the joy-evoking nectar of the vine!

What feels plain and insignificant in our lives can be given flavor and quality by the touch of Jesus.

John’s Christmas Story shows a similar theme to the other Gospels; something seemingly simple and unremarkable are made to be striking and extraordinary.

What in your life is seemingly simple and unremarkable, but may be anointed by God to be striking and extraordinary?

Bubbling joy is the result of a never-ending stream of God’s kindness directed our way, and a thankful heart that receives it.

John invites us to find our Christmas Gift.

What stops us from seeing the simple as part of God’s plan?

What images of God to you struggle with that prevent you from finding joy?

How might you model Jesus in your neighborhood by celebrating a good party with your neighbors?

Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.Romans 15:2

This week, I invite you to look at this passage again and this weeks devotional. Ask God to remove any lingering “killjoy” images of who He is from your heart.

Ask Him to fill you with “Joy in his presence.” (Psalm 16:11) and “…do not get drunk on wine” but “be filled with the Spirit.” (Ephesians 5:18)