Letter From the Pastor
Luke 1:46-47 "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior..."
Joy to the World
The joy of Christmas, rooted in the Incarnation, invites us to celebrate God's presence and cultivate joy as a transformative practice in our lives.
When the angel Gabriel announced to Mary that she would bear the Messiah, she responded with a song known as the Magnificat. This beautiful hymn of praise is an expression of profound joy, capturing the essence of Christmas. In her song, Mary celebrates the fulfillment of God’s promises—that the long-awaited Messiah would bring peace, reconciliation, and hope to the entire world. Her words encapsulate the joy and transformation that Christ’s presence brings, marking the moment when God entered the human story.
Joy at the Heart of the Christmas Story
Joy is woven through every part of the Christmas narrative. From the angel’s proclamation to the shepherds—"I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people" (Luke 2:10)—to the rejoicing of the Magi as they find the Christ child (Matthew 2:10), joy permeates the story of Christ’s birth.
This Advent season, we are embracing the theme “Joy to the World” in every aspect of our worship and ministry. You’ll find this theme reflected throughout our Advent journey:
Preaching: St. Augustine’s sermons will emphasize joy as a central response to the Incarnation.
Worship: Our songs, prayers, and celebrations will focus on the joy of God’s presence with us.
Community Service: Acts of kindness and generosity will reflect the joy of sharing God’s love.
Advent Calendar: This year, our “Spread the Joy” calendar invites daily practices to share joy with others.
Community Events: Every gathering will center on experiencing the joy of Emmanuel—God with us.
This Advent, we are leaning into joy as we reflect on the miracle of God becoming flesh and dwelling among us.
Advent Sermon Series: Joy to the World
Our Advent sermon series, Joy to the World, explores how God brings joy into our lives through His work in the world. But it’s more than that—this series will also provide practical tools to cultivate joy as a daily habit.
Joy isn’t just an emotion; it’s a practice, a way of life that requires intentionality. To experience the deep, abiding joy that Christmas represents, we must actively cultivate it. Drawing inspiration from The 4 Habits of Joy-Filled People by Marcus Warner and Chris M. Coursey, we will explore four transformative habits that can help us live into the joy of Christmas:
1. Calming: Learning to quiet our minds and hearts to experience God’s peace.
2. Appreciating: Practicing gratitude for God’s blessings in our lives.
3. Storytelling: Sharing and reflecting on moments of joy to reinforce their significance.
4.Attacking Toxic Thoughts: Replacing fear and negativity with hope and truth based on Christ’s work.
Each week, we will delve into how these habits can shape our lives, helping us experience the joy Christ brings while also equipping us to cultivate joy as a spiritual discipline.
Joy Overcomes Fear
One of the most powerful themes of the Christmas story is the angel’s reassurance to Mary: “Do not be afraid.” Fear often dominates our minds and hearts, becoming a default emotion that amplifies pain and keeps us bracing for the worst. But Christmas reminds us that joy has the power to displace fear.
When we train our brains to focus on joy, we cultivate resilience and peace. Joy doesn’t mean the absence of hardship, but it gives us the strength to endure it. Joy allows us to see beyond our present struggles and find hope in God’s promises. The joy of Christmas is a profound gift that equips us to face anything life brings, knowing that God is with us.
This Advent, let us embrace the joy of Christ’s birth—not just as a fleeting feeling, but as a transformative practice. Together, let us sing with Mary, rejoice with the angels, and proclaim: “Joy to the World, the Lord is come!”
May You Have a Joyful Advent,
Pastor Anny+
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