THE MAIN IDEA
Great joy is found in Christ Jesus—our Savior, Messiah, and Lord. Advent celebrates the coming of Christ from three perspectives:

GREAT JOY IS FOUND IN CHRIST WHO CAME
Here, we find great joy in Jesus Christ as Savior. And this is cause for great joy because we all need a Savior because every single one of us is a sinner, through and through. But it was exactly for such sinners that Jesus came (Mark 2:17). Without understanding and acknowledging this truth, we cannot be saved. And the point of knowing this is not for condemnation or self-loathing, but to know that “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). He died for us so that all of our sins—past, present, and future—may be forgiven through faith in Christ Jesus. Great joy is found in Christ who came for the forgiveness of our sins.

GREAT JOY IS FOUND IN CHRIST WHO WILL COME
Here we find great joy in Jesus Christ as Messiah. Christ is the Greek translation of the Hebrew word Messiah, which means “Anointed One.” Jesus was anointed to fulfill all the covenant promises of God. The entire Old Testament is basically about the coming of the Messiah. And the Messiah did come, according to God’s covenant promises. He came in appearance as a Man, being made in human likeness, the God-Man Jesus Christ. But also the entire New Testament culminates in the second coming of Christ Jesus. And so Jesus the Messiah will surely come again, according to God’s covenant promises! And this is cause for great joy for us, too, because when Jesus returns, this broken mess of a world will be no more. Everything will be made new, and there will only be unending peace, overflowing love, and joy, unspeakable joy! But we are not left high and dry in this life either. Because we have the Spirit of God in us, and with His Spirit in us, we have an unwavering hope—a powerful hope that overcomes the sin of this world in the power of Christ Jesus! Those of us who believe know that Jesus Christ will come back. And in knowing this, God has called all believers to begin living out our eternal life right here and right now in the hope we have in Christ. Great joy is found in Christ who will come and make all things new.

GREAT JOY IS FOUND IN CHRIST WHO COMES
And here we find great joy in Christ as Lord. And this is cause for great joy because we all need Jesus, and we all need Jesus now! As long as it is called NOW! And Jesus Christ is not some feel-good therapy. Jesus Christ is not some abstract theology. Jesus Christ is Lord. And we follow Him with our lives as Lord! And like the shepherds, we respond to the testimony of God’s word in three ways, at least, showing that Jesus is Lord of our lives. First, we seek the Lord. And when we seek the Lord, we will find Him (Deuteronomy 4:29). Second, we spread the good news about the Lord. And when we do, Jesus promises that He will always be with us (Matthew 28:19-20). Third, the shepherds praised God and glorified Him. And we praise the Lord Jesus because He is real, and He is alive, and He is here with us right now through faith! Great joy is found in Christ who comes us right now through faith in Him! (Genesis 1:1 – Revelation 22:21).

Discussion Question:
Today, where is your joy found: in Christ who came as Savior, in Christ who will come as Messiah, or in Christ who comes as Lord?