Our world is full of conflict, enmity, and revenge. Just watch the news, drive in heavy traffic, or scroll through the latest flame war on Twitter. Can anything stop this cycle where everything just keeps escalating? Jesus has some radical and subversive ideas for us to try.

By God's design, we were made for fascination. But what happens when we get bored? Or when we're fascinated by created things instead of the creator? And how can we grow in fascination with God?

Just before the tenth plague in Egypt, God instructed his people to choose a spotless lamb to slaughter and eat, and they were to paint the lamb's blood on their doorframes so the plague of death would "pass over" their homes. 1500 years later, Jesus became our perfect Passover lamb and instituted a new version of this ancient meal.

God commands us to remember the sabbath, but our busy 24-7 culture and lack of deep rest indicate that we might be distracted and forgetful.

Matt Farrand starts off our series for Advent using Isaac Watts' song "Joy to the World" to prepare us. Just like John the Baptist did before Jesus' ministry, we are asked to prepare for Jesus. We can do so by looking to the "dust and cobwebs" in our soul that need cleaning, by setting aside time to focus on our preparations, and by treating our pain with the hope that he brings.