“Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again – rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”
Philippians 4:4-6 NLT
Yesterday, The Third Sunday in Advent, is known as Gaudete Sunday, meaning ‘rejoice’. And this gives the source for this week’s celebration. Advent is a penitential season within the Church’s calendar. It’s a time for considering how we turn from darkness and all its works and look towards the light of Christ. As we reach the third Sunday in Advent, we pause and consider just how close we are to the incarnation of Jesus. It’s a time to celebrate being upon the threshold of Christmas, and as such we look not just to the incarnation but also to the promised fulfilment of all things at the end of time itself.
The Christmas feast we prepare and eat has more in common with the supper of the Lamb when we are gathered together with Christ (Revelation 19:6-9). I think there might have been slim pickings in the stable in Bethlehem. Yet, this is where the source of our true nourishment was born, and so we are reminded that Jesus’ birth is always pointing to his ultimate death and resurrection. None of us lives on bread alone, but life is from God.
One thing we have done around the meal table on Gaudete Sunday is to start a ‘rolling prayer’. The first person starts by saying, “I rejoice that God is good”, the next person then immediately declares, “I rejoice that God is good, and merciful”, and so it ‘rolls’ around the table, each person adding a fresh description of why they are rejoicing. We eventually forget and miss someone’s rejoicing word or get tongue-tied. No problem. Begin all over again.
QUESTION – How can you celebrate the victory of light over darkness?
PRAYER – Lord God, I rejoice in all you have accomplished through your Son, Jesus Christ.
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