Crossings Community Church Ep 3: Great Joy
Dec 15, 2025
Embark on a journey of expectations versus reality during the festive season as insights on joy unfold. Explore Gabriel's pivotal message to Mary and the striking artistry of Tanner, which highlights Mary's perspective. Discover how God favors the humble, contrasting Mary’s faith with Zechariah’s doubt. Dive into the heart of joy through Mary's Magnificat and distinguish between enduring joy and fleeting happiness. Ultimately, learn the transformative power of placing Christ at the center of life for lasting joy.
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Episode notes
Holiday Expectations Often Disappoint
- Bill Search opens with a humorous cartoon about Joseph forgetting the inn reservation to show Christmas often disappoints.
- He uses everyday holiday mishaps to illustrate how expectations and reality diverge.
Annunciation Emphasizes Divine Kingship
- The angel Gabriel's announcement emphasizes both Jesus' divinity and Davidic kingship, making the event both mysterious and monumental.
- Bill Search calls this scene the Annunciation and highlights its theological weight.
Tanner's Annunciation Focuses On Mary
- Bill Search describes Henry Ossawa Tanner's painting where the angel appears as a bright portal, shifting focus to Mary.
- He notes the artwork captures Mary's curious, conflicted posture rather than a towering angelic figure.