Introduction to this Service
On this fourth Sunday of Advent, joy is theme of the service. Everyone is asked to bring a joyful spirit and a willingness to sing to the Lord. Not everyone feels what we commonly associate with joy. The holidays are difficult for some people. A meaning of joy that does not rely on pleasant circumstances is explored in this message.

People may wonder what joy is, true joy, godly joy. We get a sense of the meaning of joy by hearing some contrasts. True joy is oftentimes quiet rather than loud; subtle rather than brazen; deep versus superficial; God-centered instead of self-centered; God-made rather than self-made; spiritually based versus circumstantially based.

The message explores each of the verses of Mary's song, called the Magnificat, found in Luke 1:47-5…