“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7
On this third week of Advent, we light the candle of joy. On this Sunday the candle we light is different. It is pink as we continue to honor the old observance of “Gaudete” or Joy Sunday. Gaudete is derived from the Latin word for rejoice. The liturgical color is pink which signifies JOY and is a departure from either blue or purple, colors that are associated with penance and preparation. Celebrating joy on this third Sunday helps us to balance the more somber aspects of Advent and gives believers time to rejoice and celebrate the coming of the Christ child into our midst.
Using pink is also a visual reminder about the fact that we are beginning the shift towards celebration and gladness. The Messiah is coming. The birth is imminent! It is not unlike how excited families become when a mother’s due date draws closer and closer. Everyone can hardly wait to meet the new baby. Excitement fills the air. In the same way, we are excited to welcome Christ into the world once again at Christmas.
At this point in the Christmas season, by worldly standards, we are in the mad rush to finish all the things. We are busy making cookies, shopping, going to parties or getting ready to host a party. If we are hosting, we are also frantically cleaning. We are trying to remember who is on our lists to buy gifts, who we need to send cards to, if you still send cards. Hopefully, the decorating is done but if not, we are decorating too. We are in a word: BUSY. And all this extra holiday stuff comes as we are still doing all our regular daily routines. It is no wonder we don’t feel joy.
Maybe what we need at this mid-point of Advent is a break. And that is what the third week of Advent offers as it moves from the penitential aspects of the season to Joy. Joy that comes when we extend kindness to one another. Joy that infuses us when we help someone. Joy is found in the simple ordinary days when we live as if we were actually a Christian. When we are kind, patient, loving, generous, and all the other ways we can treat another human or any part of creation with care.
With the birth of Jesus, God sent light into the world. With the ministry of Jesus, Jesus taught us what bringing light into this world looked like. When Jesus ascended into heaven, Jesus told us to go out into the world bringing light to all people. We don’t bring light when we are disagreeable. We bring light when we offer kindness, grace, and mercy.
As we continue to anticipate Jesus’ birth, and we prepare to celebrate what God was doing for all the world, remember that you are a light bearer. As you go about your day, choose love over hate. Choose light over darkness. Choose patience over exasperation and frustration. Choose wisely how you will act.
Peace,
Beth
Beth's Blog 