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2018/12/16 By Barry Leave a Comment

Joy and happiness are not the same thing

The third Sunday of Advent is the Sunday of Joy. What could be more fitting for this season than a Sunday devoted to Joy? Not much to be sure but what images come to mind when someone reminds you “Christmas is the season of joy” or says “Christmas is such a joyous time”? If you […]

Filed Under: Advent, Preaching, Sunday, Year C Tagged With: advent, advent 3, happiness, happy, joy, joyful, joyfulness, preaching

2016/12/11 By Barry Leave a Comment

Are joy and happiness the same?

In regard to the post title, the short answer is “no.” I like short answers and I don’t think there is anything wrong with them but when it comes to sermons, one word sermons are usually not what people are expecting or wanting. This is the third Sunday of Advent; the Sunday with the odd […]

Filed Under: Advent, Advent, Preaching, Sunday, Year A Tagged With: advent 3, happiness, John the, joy, preaching

2013/12/15 By Barry Leave a Comment

Another word that is more than we might think

This Sunday is the third Sunday in Advent, the Sunday of Joy. Joy is another one of those words that can be kind of tricky. As I mention in at least one of the sermons, it is one of those words that we understand at at trivial level “joy = happiness; happiness = joy” until […]

Filed Under: Advent, Preaching, Sunday, Year A Tagged With: advent, advent 3, joy, kids, preaching

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