The Weary World Rejoices - Hymns of Joy

City Church Tulsa

HYMNS OF JOY The Weary World Rejoices 12.8.24 1) Tamar (Genesis 38 - Matthew 1:3) · In the story of Tamar, we learn God's plan for salvation is not thwarted by sin but God works through the brokenness of humanity to accomplish His purposes. 2) Rahab (Joshua 2 - Matthew 1:5) · In the story of Rahab, we learn nobody is beyond God's reach. He redeems those society deems unworthy. 3) Ruth (Book of Ruth - Matthew 1:15) · In the story of Ruth, we learn how God brings hope and redemption, even in foreign lands and desperate situations, using unexpected people and circumstances. 4) Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11 - Matthew 1:6) · In the story of Bathsheba, we learn even the gravest sins and tragedies are not beyond God's redemptive power. 5) Mary (Matthew 1:16) · In the story of Mary, we learn that God will bring about his promise of salvation through the Messiah in the most humble and unlikely way. Jesus, born into a lineage marked by scandal, loss, and redemption, fully identifies with our brokenness and steps into our world. Miracles by C.S. Lewis In the Christian story God descends to re-ascend. He comes down; down from the heights of absolute being into time and space, down into humanity; down further still… to the very roots and seabed of the Nature He has created. But He goes down to come up again and bring the whole ruined world up with Him. One may think of a diver, first reducing himself to nakedness, then glancing in mid-air, then gone with a splash, vanished, rushing down through green and warm water into black and cold water, down through increasing pressure into the death-like region of ooze and slime and old decay; then up again, back to color and light, his lungs almost bursting, till suddenly he breaks surface again, holding in his hand the dripping, precious thing that he went down to recover. Advent is waiting. Advent brings unexpected peace. Advent brings redemptive joy. Advent doesn’t eliminate the tension of living in a broken world, but it fills us with the hope, peace, and joy of what Christ is bringing.