“And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’” Luke 2:10 ESV

Entering the third week of Advent, which begins Sunday the 14th, we find the theme to be that of JOY.

The theme of the second week of Advent, which begins Sunday, is peace.

Just like when we speak of hope, when we talk about peace it’s important to define our terms.  People talk a lot about wanting peace when I think they really might mean is that they want ease, comfort, and smooth sailing. At least that is what I do sometimes — I confuse ease with peace.

That can be a problem.
 

Advent 2025 officially begins on Sunday.  Over the following four weeks, Christians often spend time in reflection on the various themes of this church season.

For many denominations, the traditional four themes of the four weeks of Advent are hope, peace, joy and love, in that order. That would make the first week’s theme hope. 

Hope is a word whose force and meaning has been a bit diluted over time.
 

I voice-text notes and reminders to myself, especially when I am writing. For some reason, I get a lot of ideas when I am driving, so voice-texting notes is how I capture those thoughts.

I discovered a funny thing about auto correct while writing my Bible study, Return and Rest. Every time I said the word intimacy, auto correct spelled it into-the-sea. 

Accepting the invitation extended in the gospel of Christ allows a person to receive a new identity: that of God’s beloved child (John 1:12). After accepting God’s invitation to salvation, however, we must respond to His continual invitation to intimacy, to return, and to rest. 

This invitation to experience more of Him is true for a new Christian or one who has walked with Him for decades. 

“And since we have a great high priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings…” Hebrews 10:21-22a (NIV)

I’m old enough to remember singing hymns in church every Sunday. One I have strong memories of is Fanny Crosby’s Blessed Assurance. We sang it at many Wednesday-night suppers at the Baptist church of my childhood.