– Comes from the Latin word adventis
which speaks of the arrival of a notable person, thing, or event
Luke 2:10-14 - And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear.10 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.11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”
Francis Schaeffer - “Joy is connected with the reality of our knowledge of who Jesus is, our relationship with him, and our worship of him.”
· Is He your Savior? – Is He the one you turn to in time of need?
· Is He Your Lord? – Is He the one you are surrendering your whole being to?
· Is He your Messiah? – Is He the one you are expecting and anticipating to arrive in your situation?
Matthew 13:23 - As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”
James 4:8 - Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.
·What are you affectionate about?
·What do you dwell upon?
·Where are most of your resources dedicated?
Matthew 6:21 - For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Psalm 73:25-26 - Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
N.T. Wright - “You become like what you worship. When you gaze in awe, admiration, and wonder at something or someone, you begin to take on something of the character of the object of your worship.”