4th Advent: With Joyful Hearts & Minds
For this fourth Advent, Rev. Jean-Marie reflects on the topic of Joy and how the Christmas story of the birth of Jesus Christ offers a direct pathway to a joyful life no matter what the circumstance. Beyond the joy of the Savior being born, we can learn to save ourselves by recognizing the many opportunities with which we are gifted every day to allow true Joy to arise in our hearts and minds.
Experience the Sermon
Advent Reading
Sermon Notes
12 Stages of Christmas
Herod the Great
The East, the Star, and the Wise Men
Gabriel, Zechariah, John, and Elizabeth
Nazareth of Galilee, Mary and Gabriel
Mary, Elizabeth, and the Birth of John
Joseph and Gabriel
The Census, Bethlehem, the Inn, Cave, Ass, Ox, Swaddling Cloths and Manger
Night, Light, the Shepherds, Flock, and Lamb
Naming, House, Jerusalem, Temple, Simeon, and Anna
The Wise Men from the East, Jerusalem, Herod, the Gifts
The Flight to Egypt and the Massacre of the Innocents
Death of Herod and the Return to Nazareth
Metaphysics of Christmas Characters and Animals
Mary: The feminine, the soul, the affectional and emotional phase of man's being, both when seemingly bound and limited by sensate thought, and in its freed, exalted state.
Joseph: The state of consciousness in which we increase in character along all lines; we not only grow into a broader understanding but there is an increase of vitality and substance.
Mary and Joseph: represent wisdom and love, which have been ideas in mind but are now to bring forth a manifestation in substance
Shepherds: The shepherds watching by night are the protecting entities of God that watch over us. They are the conservers and protectors. To affirm "Jehovah is my shepherd" is to acknowledge that God (Spirit) is the source of understanding and of all help.
Magi: The stored-up resources of the soul, which rise to the surface when its depths are stirred by a great spiritual revelation.
Angels: Thought of the Lord (Luke 1:11). Our angels are our spiritual perceptive faculties, which ever dwell in the presence of the Father (Matt. 13:49).
Donkey: The characteristics of the ass are stubbornness, persistency, and endurance. To ride these is to make them obedient to one's will.
Ox: Strength
Lamb: Represents innocent, guileless forms of life on the animal plane of consciousness.