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Merriam-Webster’s dictionary partially defines joy as “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires.” So, in this season it would stand to reason that people are happier, more joyful, because they know that gifts are coming, gifts they have been hoping for a long time. But what about after Christmas? What about before Christmas in a season in which stress runs high because of expectations and sorrow over loved ones lost, and more? Where do we find joy then? And what kind of joy should we be looking for? The Bible holds out a different definition of joy. God does want His people to be happy but for different reasons than the prospect of getting more stuff. Is your interest piqued at having a joy which runs deeper than shiny wrapping paper? Let’s find out this Sunday.

Peace. It’s what we all want at the end of a chaotic day. Just to sit back, enjoy the silence and try to find some balance once again. The problem? This peace is completely external and dependant on external circumstances. How can we be at peace when there is chaos around us? How can I have the kind of peace described in the Bible? The peace that goes beyond understanding. Advent is a season of ‘expectant waiting.’ We know that something is coming, Someone has come and is coming again, but there are things to ‘do’ while we expectantly wait. As we prepare for Christ, one thing we do is refocus on the peace He brings. See you Sunday!

Advent is upon us once again! This is a holy season in which we, as C.S. Lewis put it, connect again with our "inconsolable longing." This longing is, of course, for our Saviour Jesus Christ. So while Advent is a season of waiting, it is not a passive waiting but rather an active waiting. We wait with expectation. We wait anticipating God's activity. So with this season we are going to look again at God's promises and the hope given to us by God through these promises which the Bible says are "yes and amen" in Jesus Christ. See you Sunday!

With the Advent and Christmas seasons quickly approaching perhaps now is a good time to talk about gluttony. I remember well that these seasons meant special treats made by mom and the family gatherings where feasts were laid out. The Bible has some good corrective words when it comes to understanding gluttony, some of which may surprise you, some of which may be hard and challenging to hear. However, Jesus wants us to hear all these words in grace so that we may enjoy food and fellowship in their proper contexts. See you Sunday!

When is enough, enough? I am not talking about pain and suffering because any amount seems too much. I am talking about our obsession with material things, with stuff. Remember the old advertisement telling us to ‘dress for success?’ The idea is to project an image of confidence and success and you will get hired, promoted, make the sale, and so on. But it has turned into an obsession that the Bible calls avarice. We see it in an inner attitude which comes out as ‘if I only had . . . . then I would be happy/satisfied/secure/the envy of my neighbours’ and the list goes on and on. Jesus has something to say about avarice as He continues to instruct us in regards to living our lives as His disciples. Let’s find out together since we’re all in this together. See you Sunday!