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This third week in Advent is about joy. Christmas jewelry reflects this spirit of joy.
The Third Sunday in Advent is called Gaudete Sunday which in Latin means rejoice. The Advent candle is pink, setting it apart from the other three candles which are either blue or purple.
Though the Advent season is a preparatory season like Lent, this Sunday reminds us of the great joy that is ours because God has done something about our human condition.
Yet my gut tells me that you're probably not feeling a great deal of joy right now. A few of you have finished your Christmas shopping, purchased the food for your feast and put up all your decorations. You are in the minority as evidenced by the lack of parking spaces at the mall, the panicked grocery shoppers and houses wanting of Christmas lights.
"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11 English Standard Version
Our joy is not dependent on a specific time of year or the circumstances of life.
It might be that the majority of us like this time of year and that there is a joy that we experience now that is often missing at other times of the year. That is not true for all of us.
Some of us will celebrate Christmas without a loved one for the first time...or the tenth.
Some of us have no one with whom we'll celebrate Christmas this year.
Some of us didn't have the money to buy gifts for the people we love and we feel shame.
The joy that comes with the Christ Child is connected to the cross of that Child. He bore your shame, he will never leave you and his gift is eternal life. Joy is deeper than being happy. Joy resides at the core of our being even when there seems to be no reason to celebrate.
Joy is the gift of this Child born for you.
Join the conversation at Praying With the Eyes on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/groups/173881749421231/
(Click on picture to enlarge.)
The Third Sunday in Advent is called Gaudete Sunday which in Latin means rejoice. The Advent candle is pink, setting it apart from the other three candles which are either blue or purple.
Though the Advent season is a preparatory season like Lent, this Sunday reminds us of the great joy that is ours because God has done something about our human condition.
Yet my gut tells me that you're probably not feeling a great deal of joy right now. A few of you have finished your Christmas shopping, purchased the food for your feast and put up all your decorations. You are in the minority as evidenced by the lack of parking spaces at the mall, the panicked grocery shoppers and houses wanting of Christmas lights.
"You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." Psalm 16:11 English Standard Version
Our joy is not dependent on a specific time of year or the circumstances of life.
It might be that the majority of us like this time of year and that there is a joy that we experience now that is often missing at other times of the year. That is not true for all of us.
Some of us will celebrate Christmas without a loved one for the first time...or the tenth.
Some of us have no one with whom we'll celebrate Christmas this year.
Some of us didn't have the money to buy gifts for the people we love and we feel shame.
The joy that comes with the Christ Child is connected to the cross of that Child. He bore your shame, he will never leave you and his gift is eternal life. Joy is deeper than being happy. Joy resides at the core of our being even when there seems to be no reason to celebrate.
Joy is the gift of this Child born for you.
Join the conversation at Praying With the Eyes on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/groups/173881749421231/
(Click on picture to enlarge.)
Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2013 Douglas P. Brauner. ARR.
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