Word Study | Chara / Joy
Advent Study material taken from bibleproject.com
PREPARATION
A Time of Hopeful Anticipation
For centuries, Christians around the world have used the four weeks leading up to Christmas to prepare for the celebration of Jesus’ birth. It’s a time when we observe his first coming while also looking forward to his second coming. In the four weeks of Advent, we meditate on hope, peace, joy, and love.
The Prince of Peace Arrives
The Hebrew Bible ends with God’s people still waiting expectantly for the ultimate king—the anointed one who would bring peace to the world. In the book of Isaiah, we read this prophecy about the long-awaited Messiah: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulders. And his name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
When Jesus was born, angels announced his arrival on Earth by declaring, "I bring you good tidings of great joy, which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a savior, who is Christ the Lord."
And Still We Wait
Jesus’ arrival activated the promises of God and the prophecies of the Hebrew Bible. The Gospel accounts declare Jesus to be God in human form, his son who came to earth to reconcile God’s people back to their covenant partnership with God. During Advent, we join in a centuries-long tradition and we wait. Just like God’s people eagerly awaited the arrival of the Messiah, we remember their hope and we still look forward to Jesus’ final return when he will reunite Heaven and Earth in the new creation. He is the ultimate King, who embodies God’s peace, joy, hope, and love and came to earth so that we might be united with God again.
For centuries, Christians around the world have used the four weeks leading up to Christmas to prepare for the celebration of Jesus’ birth. It’s a time when we observe his first coming while also looking forward to his second coming. In the four weeks of Advent, we meditate on hope, peace, joy, and love.
The Prince of Peace Arrives
The Hebrew Bible ends with God’s people still waiting expectantly for the ultimate king—the anointed one who would bring peace to the world. In the book of Isaiah, we read this prophecy about the long-awaited Messiah: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulders. And his name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
When Jesus was born, angels announced his arrival on Earth by declaring, "I bring you good tidings of great joy, which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a savior, who is Christ the Lord."
And Still We Wait
Jesus’ arrival activated the promises of God and the prophecies of the Hebrew Bible. The Gospel accounts declare Jesus to be God in human form, his son who came to earth to reconcile God’s people back to their covenant partnership with God. During Advent, we join in a centuries-long tradition and we wait. Just like God’s people eagerly awaited the arrival of the Messiah, we remember their hope and we still look forward to Jesus’ final return when he will reunite Heaven and Earth in the new creation. He is the ultimate King, who embodies God’s peace, joy, hope, and love and came to earth so that we might be united with God again.
WATCH
DISCUSS
- Word: What stood out to you about a biblical view of joy? What did you learn? What was surprising?
- Old Self: On a scale of 1-10 how joyful of a person are you? Explain.
- New Self: In Romans 5:2, Paul says, “We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.” Here, “the hope of the glory of God” refers to the day when Christ will return and establish a new creation, and the glory of God will fill the earth. And Paul says that when we anchor our hopes in the glories that await us at Christ’s return, our hearts will overflow with joy. What most excites you about Christ’s return? What brings you the most joy thinking about?
- World: Later in Romans, Paul exhorts the church to “rejoice in hope” (Rom 12:12). In other words, rejoicing in the hope of Christ’s return is a discipline we must cultivate on a daily basis. What are some practical ways you could keep the hope of Christ’s return at the forefront of your mind each day?
CLOSE IN PRAYER
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