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The 3rd Sunday of Advent: Joy to the World Indeed

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.

We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This was the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. John 1:14–16 (NIV)

Lord Jesus, though there’s no Mary or Joseph, stable or manger, shepherds or angels in John’s account of your birth, you are definitely there. You are the only “star” on the horizon in this nativity scene, and your glory fills the sky.

Thank you for becoming flesh, and for “tabernacling” among us. Though equal to, yet distinct from the Father, you didn’t consider your glory something to be tightly grasped or selfishly used. Rather, you emptied yourself by becoming one of us. But you aren’t just a good man—you are the promised Servant of the Lord, God the Son incarnate, the second Adam—our Substitute and Savior. Even we non-shouters roar a loud. “Hallelujah!”

In your thirty-three years of life, you did everything required to redeem your Bride and restore the world. You are mighty to save and quick to redeem, humble in your birth and powerful in your reign, dispenser of our joys and sovereign over our pain. We worship and adore you, Jesus.

“Joy to the World” should be our year-round song, for you rule the world with your grace and truth; and the wonders of your love keep spreading from heart to heart, city to city, and nation to nation.

From the riches of the gospel, we keep receiving one blessing after another—grace upon grace unto more grace. We’re robed in your righteousness and fully forgiven. We have citizenship in heaven and God’s favor upon us. Why do we ever whine or worry, Jesus? We await your return with hope and joy. So very Amen we pray, in your worship-worthy name.

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