Rejoice in the Lord!

This third Sunday of Advent is called “Gaudete” Sunday – which means that is a day on which we are called to rejoice. On this Sunday, the priest wears rose-colored vestments, we light the rose candle and, in some parts of the world, roses are presented to people who have served the church and the community long and well. I believe that this tradition was initiated in this country by Notre Dame University. There are some truths that can really deepen our joy during this frantic time of shopping, gifts, parties, decorating and cards.

The season of Advent and Christmas can help us realize that the most important things in life are spiritual. We are assured of God’s love for us – just look at the crib and the helpless infant and hear the words of Saint John: “God so loved the world that he sent His beloved Son.” (John 3:16) The mission of Jesus was to forgive sins and bring healing and hope to the human race. People who have no idea what all that means are tragically haunted. In every Mass God reminds us and assures us of His great love for us. He continues to give us His Son Jesus as our worship and in Holy Communion.

When we look at the infant Jesus, and think about His life, death and resurrection, we realize with joy that the God who made us realized that we truly needed a Savior. So we sing joyfully “Christ the Savior is born.” Someone put this truth nicely when he wrote: If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator! If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer. But our great need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior…” This again is why we rejoice – God knew what He was about.

We are reminded that the better gifts in life are ones that stare us in the face…family, friends, loyal associates, and caring people who are real assets in a person’s life. Yes, these gifts are so often taken for granted.

Another source of joy, the one which gives us a vision, a light to see beyond the trials and tragedies in life, beyond the dark and lonely day, the vision to see Go among the pots and the pans – that is the gift of faith. This faith says that we cannot be defined by our past, for we can change and with the grace of God be all that God created us to be. Yes, there is hope for all of us.

We rejoice because people are coming to Christ and the Church through RCIA. People come to Church at Christmas and for some who do not attend regularly, the wish of a long-gone parent or spouse may spark their desire to return to the faith of their fathers.

There are many reasons to rejoice and be grateful to God, but people get so stressed and weary with all the frantic preparations for Christmas. When Christ came the first time, the world did not recognize Him. There was no room in the inn. Are our lives so cluttered and hectic that we miss him – the one who is the true Light of the World? Advent and Christmas are special times when we are called to let the healing light of Christ come into our lives to bring us healing and hope. Like John the Baptist – we too seek the truth and come to believe that Jesus Christ has come, He is in our midst, and ours is the mission to recognize Him and let Him be our Lord and Savior. This is the source of our joy.

“Joy to the World – the Lord is Nigh…”