In experiences that are beyond us, God is always bigger, always stronger, always moving the world toward justice, healing, and peace.

Embodying good news, Jesus heals, and takes on the powers, and takes a breath, and keeps on moving.

God is always calling us, always inviting us to pay attention, listen, and live.

What glad news of justice do you bring to the world?

On the wilderness road to freedom, God supports and sustains the weary. God encourages us to join the hard work of freedom with humility and mutuality, in ways that also help create some rest for the weary.

Jesus interrupts a world already in progress, and turns power on its head.

Simeon and Anna hold the Christ child and proclaim: This is God’s saving help come yet again, once for all – light and liberation for all people.

With folks all around the world, today is the day we tell the story: In the birth of the Christ, the fresh presence of God comes to life in the fullness of humanity.

Joy is “the fresh presence of God... the fresh action of God,” rising up from the steady and sure saving action of God across all time. Joy is God’s forever longing for human flourishing. In this sermon, we consider “joy because” of the goodness we experience in life, “joy notwithstanding” the challenges and sorrow of life, and “joy against” everything that seeks to harm human flourishing.

In a hurting world, Jesus invites us to keep watch for the Advent of God in every moment, as together we make the long journey toward joy.