Almost Advent

Advent begins next Sunday, 12/1, and I couldn't help but start to get excited as I read my Bible in some personal devotion time this morning. The forecast for snow next week (yikes), early Christmas shopping, thinking of decorating and such are a joy in themselves, but this morning I was reminded of the true joy that is the root of all other joy. I don't want to forget that and I wanted to encourage you with that too. 

Here is the passage I was reading. 

1 Peter 1:3-9

3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you,

5 who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,

7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith-more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire-may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

8 Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,

9 obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Because of God's mercy, we have new life in Christ. A living hope. Our hope and inheritance are imperishable, undefiled,  unfading. All of this is what I can rejoice in. Not my day to day circumstances, but God and his mercy and love towards me shown in all that Jesus was born to do for me and continues to do for me. This joy in Christ is inexpressible and full of glory! 

So in the midst of the joys of this time of year, my hope and prayer is to be anchored in the imperishable, undefiled, unfading, inexpressible, full of glory joy ofChrist  - because He is the true Joy and the source of all other joys. And honestly the other joys may not be as joyful as I remember them or hope (snow might not come, kids might fight when we decorate the tree, gifts may not delight them as I hope. etc.) But Christ will never disappoint!

Joy to the world, The Lord has come!