‘Tis the Season for Sorrow and Joy
December 15, 2024 / Andrew "Fitz" Fitzgibbon
Pick your invite in the lobby to ask your One to come to Christmas Eve services. Here is all the info you need to know about Christmas at OCC. Merry Christmas!
Matthew 1:18 (NLT)
This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit.
My Notes:
Matthew 1:19 (NLT)
Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.
My Notes:
Matthew 1:20-21 (NLT)
As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”
My Notes:
Luke 2:4-5 (NLT)
And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, to whom he was engaged, who was now expecting a child.
My Notes:
Walking in God’s will does not us from difficult moments.
My Notes:
Jesus meets us, where we are, as we are.
My Notes:
Luke 1:78-79 (NLT)
Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”
My Notes:
need not be the end of your story.
My Notes:
John 16:20-22 (NLT)
I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world. So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.
John 16:33 (NLT)
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
My Notes:
The opposite of joy is not sorrow… it’s .
Hope is seeking the light the darkness.
My Notes:
Christ came to us. Immanuel. God with us. Even in our challenges.
My Notes:
Help Everyone Find & Follow Jesus