Word to the Wise
Sunday, December 16, 2018 - 3rd Sunday of Advent - C
[Zeph 3:14-18a; Phil 4:4-7; Luke 3:10-18]Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. [Philippians]
The third Sunday of Advent is nicknamed "Gaudete Sunday" from a Latin word meaning "Rejoice!." [Lent has its own version on the fourth Sunday named after another Latin word, "Laetare," which means the same thing.] It's a way of saying, "Take a break!" in all the preparations to think about what it is that you are preparing FOR. What we are preparing for is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, right? And we should be rejoicing about that, right? Is that at the center of our decorating and shopping? Is anyone creeping up to the tree and examining a certain package with one's name on it to see if it's the right size package for what we are hoping "Santa" will bring? I've known that to cause a bit of "joy!"
The reason for the season and for the joy could come to us if we give some prominent attention to setting up the manger scene in a place where it can attract as much attention as the tree. Maybe we can do it gradually over the next couple of weeks to help build anticipation? This can have the effect of focusing out attention on why we should be rejoicing. Perhaps we can take St. Paul's advice and let our kindness be known to all by counting out "12 Days of Christmas" and doing some particular act of kindness on each day for someone who is suffering in this season, and give them a reason to rejoice? Advent and Christmas can take on so much more meaning if we give them attention. Rejoicing is more than seasonal giddiness and rose-colored vestments on this Sunday. It is in realizing what we really ARE preparing for. AMEN