{"id":3499,"date":"2017-12-17T00:11:10","date_gmt":"2017-12-16T23:11:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/?p=3499"},"modified":"2017-12-17T00:11:10","modified_gmt":"2017-12-16T23:11:10","slug":"2017-advent-joy-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/17\/2017-advent-joy-1\/","title":{"rendered":"2017: Advent Joy #1"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"
\n(Photo: Lindy Twaddle)<\/p>\n

On this third Sunday of Advent, we begin a new mini-series, this time on Advent Joy, featuring reflections by Rev. Andrew Gardner<\/strong> of the Scots Kirk in Brussels.<\/p>\n

YOU SHALL GO OUT WITH JOY<\/em><\/p>\n

Isaiah 55:12-13<\/a>  (The Voice)<\/span><\/h3>\n

12<\/sup> For you will go out in joy, be led home in peace.
\n       And as you go the land itself will break out in cheers;
\n    The mountains and the hills will erupt in song,
\n       and the trees of the field will clap their hands.
\n13<\/sup> Prickly thorns and nasty briers will give way
\n       to luxurious shade trees, sweet and good.
\n    And they\u2019ll remind you of the Eternal One
\n        and how God can be trusted absolutely and forever.<\/p>\n

Reflection<\/h3>\n

One of my favourite verses of the New Testament comes from the Prologue of the Gospel of John: ‘The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us’<\/em> (John 1:14). <\/p>\n

This is John’s way of summarising the Christmas story. God the Son, ‘the Word’, takes on human flesh \u2013 God incarnate. Surely this is something to rejoice about? <\/p>\n

God in heaven does something for humankind – by means of the Incarnation as well as Christ’s ministry, the Cross, his Ascension and Resurrection – to redeem the situation that they are in. Once again something to rejoice about. However, God’s redemptive work in Christ is much more than about human beings; Christ redeems all of creation. <\/p>\n

Near the end of the book of Revelation we read of the restoration of all of creation in terms of a new heaven and a new earth (Rev 21:1). In our reading today, the Old Testament prophet Isaiah points to this very same thing: humanity and creation joyously restored and worshipping God together in perfect unity. <\/p>\n

Praying the psalms<\/h3>\n

Let those who run to You for safety be glad they did;
\n    let them break out in joyful song.
\nMay You keep them safe \u2014
\n    their love for You resounding in their hearts. <\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Psalm 5:11<\/a> (The Voice)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\nXTRA XTRA XTRA<\/em>
\nChurch of Scotland Advent Calendar<\/strong><\/a>
\nJourney daily with characters in the Nativity through video, reflection and prayer\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

(Photo: Lindy Twaddle) On this third Sunday of Advent, we begin a new mini-series, this time on Advent Joy, featuring reflections by Rev. Andrew Gardner of the Scots Kirk in Brussels. YOU SHALL GO OUT WITH JOY Isaiah 55:12-13  (The Voice) 12 For you will go out in joy, be led home in peace.        … Continue reading “2017: Advent Joy #1”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[13,14,99],"tags":[96,100],"class_list":["post-3499","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bible","category-meditation","category-psalms","tag-advent-2017","tag-joy"],"yoast_head":"\n2017: Advent Joy #1 - 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Although you don\u2019t yet see Him, you do believe in Him and celebrate with a joy that is glorious and beyond words. 9 You are receiving the salvation\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "bible"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/flowers_and_fountain.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/flowers_and_fountain.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/flowers_and_fountain.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/flowers_and_fountain.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3611,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/22\/2017-advent-joy-6\/","url_meta":{"origin":3499,"position":1},"title":"2017: Advent Joy #6","author":"Andrew Gardner","date":"December 22, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Treacle - Lindy and Laurence's dog - source of much joy and exercise (Photo: Lindy Twaddle) \u00a0 REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS Philippians 4:4-7 \u00a0(The Voice) 4 Most of all, friends, always rejoice in the Lord! I never tire of saying it: Rejoice! 5 Keep your gentle nature so that\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "bible"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/happy_dog.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/happy_dog.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/happy_dog.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/happy_dog.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3601,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/21\/2017-advent-joy-5\/","url_meta":{"origin":3499,"position":2},"title":"2017: Advent Joy #5","author":"Andrew Gardner","date":"December 21, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"(Photo: Lindy Twaddle) \u00a0 GRIEF WILL TURN TO JOY John 16:20 \u00a0(The Voice) 20 I tell you the truth, a time is approaching when you will weep and mourn while the world is celebrating. You will grieve, but that grief will give birth to great joy. Reflection The gospel of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "bible"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/leaf_with_holes.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/leaf_with_holes.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/leaf_with_holes.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/leaf_with_holes.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3518,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/20\/2017-advent-joy-4\/","url_meta":{"origin":3499,"position":3},"title":"2017: Advent Joy #4","author":"Andrew Gardner","date":"December 20, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"(Photo: Lindy Twaddle) Celebrations and jubilations! This is the 100th post since starting the blog on 7 March 2017. \u00a0 MARY'S MAGNIFICAT JOY Luke 1:46-55 \u00a0(The Voice) 46 Mary: My soul lifts up the Lord! 47 My spirit celebrates God, my Liberator! 48 For though I\u2019m God\u2019s humble servant, God\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "bible"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/leaves_with_flags.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/leaves_with_flags.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/leaves_with_flags.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/leaves_with_flags.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3625,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/23\/2017-advent-joy-7\/","url_meta":{"origin":3499,"position":4},"title":"2017: Advent Joy #7","author":"Andrew Gardner","date":"December 23, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"(Photo: Lindy Twaddle) \u00a0 THE JOY OF THE ASSURANCE OF GOD'S LOVE IN CHRIST Romans 8:31-35 \u00a0(The Voice) 31 So what should we say about all of this? If God is on our side, then tell me: whom should we fear? 32 If He did not spare His own Son,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "bible"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/friends.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/friends.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/friends.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/friends.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":3514,"url":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/2017\/12\/19\/2017-advent-joy-3\/","url_meta":{"origin":3499,"position":5},"title":"2017: Advent Joy #3","author":"Andrew Gardner","date":"December 19, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"(Photo: Lindy Twaddle) \u00a0 JOY TO THE WORLD Luke 2:8-12 \u00a0(The Voice) 8 Nearby, in the fields outside of Bethlehem, a group of shepherds were guarding their flocks from predators in the darkness of night. 9 Suddenly a messenger of the Lord stood in front of them, and the darkness\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "bible"","block_context":{"text":"bible","link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/madonna_and_child.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/madonna_and_child.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/madonna_and_child.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/12\/madonna_and_child.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"Andrew Gardner","author_link":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/author\/andrew-gardner\/"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/bible\/\" rel=\"category tag\">bible<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/meditation\/\" rel=\"category tag\">meditation<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/category\/psalms\/\" rel=\"category tag\">psalms<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"(Photo: Lindy Twaddle) On this third Sunday of Advent, we begin a new mini-series, this time on Advent Joy, featuring reflections by Rev. Andrew Gardner of the Scots Kirk in Brussels. YOU SHALL GO OUT WITH JOY Isaiah 55:12-13  (The Voice) 12 For you will go out in joy, be led home in peace.       …","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3499","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3499"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3499\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3499"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3499"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.irenebom.com\/prayer_matters\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3499"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}