From Zephaniah 3:14-15: “Sing aloud, O daughter Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The Lord has taken away the judgments against you, He has turned away your enemies. The king of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall fear disaster no more.”
Looking inward, changing selves
Repenting, reversing course
Searching for life’s cherished peace
Joy spreads from Bethlehem’s source
Reading, praying, reflecting
Preparing our minds and hearts
Beaming starlight in dark times
Joy brightens, world seeks restart
Rejoicing always, Lord is near
Restoring fortunes, Prince of Peace
Renewing tomorrow’s hope
Joy transcends Father’s new lease
Trusting in God’s promises
Waiting with welcoming grace
Singing praises, justice calls
Joy blossoms in this birthplace
Proclaiming mercy-filled peace
Glowing, rising midnight sun
Igniting life’s dormant faith
Joy worships birth of God’s Son
You are invited to join in prayer: Lord God, your love and mercy promise hope, joy, and peace. During this season of Advent, open our hearts in preparation to receive our Savior. Amen.
“Joy to the World” is frequently sung during the Advent and Christmas season. Written in 1719 by English minister and hymnwriter, Isaac Watts, this hymn has been a favorite for well over 100 years in North America.
Big Sky Buckeye 
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Eileen, many thanks for sharing this Advent post with your readers.
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🌟May Exceptional Joy spread from Sea to Shining Sea ✨
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Amen! Blessed words . . . from sea to shining sea!
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Thanks Richard for another wonderful advent poem and great words of comfort and joy.
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Kathy, I appreciate your affirmation of this Advent poem. Our comfort and joy is gifted by God from a manger.
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A perfect Advent poem!🙏🏻
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Susan, your reading and affirmation is appreciated. May God’s goodness continue to bring you joy and peace.
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Love it brother!
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Jim, I appreciate your kind words. Sometimes time moves too quickly during the Advent season, but writing about it slows down the pace.
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So true it goes too fast! 11 more days!!!
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“Igniting life’s dormant faith”~this line speaks to me in so many ways. When I visited my grandkids in Fairbanks at the beginning of September I was so thankful to see the Northern Lights. 💚
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Karla, thanks for sharing the joy of your Alaska trip. I know it was a blessing for you to make this trip. When I taught in southeastern Montana back in the late 1970s, we could sometime catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights on a cold, clear night.
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Thank you, Richard. I just love Montana and the Northern Lights, both! What blessings!
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