Advent Meditations: Sunday 11 December

Dec 11, 2022 by Jill

ON THE LITURGICAL CALENDAR: THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT: This third week begins with “Gaudete Sunday.” Gaudete means “rejoice” in Latin.  It comes from the first word of the Entrance antiphon on Sunday.  This joyful spirit is marked by the third candle of our Advent wreath, which is rose colored, and the rose-colored vestments often used at the Eucharist.

Given the realities of our broken world it is not surprising that many wonder how one can experience joy in the midst of the brokenness that touches us constantly? How can we rejoice in the face of the sufferings that range from Utah to Ukraine from Tampa to Tanzania. Perhaps the answer lies in the paradox of our Advent antiphon that will begin next week. Throughout the coming days (from 17th to the 25th) we sing the O Antiphons beginning with “O come, o come Emmanuel.”

In Hebrew “Emmanuel” means “God is with us. “And yet we pray, “Come!” In these very words, we realize that which is with us is not fully with us, and still has to come. Advent joy is like that. On one level, it is already given to us, but on another we long for a joy that is not here yet.

BIBLICAL MEDITATION: In the Gospel for today we meet a secure clear-thinking John the Baptizer who knew who he was in the sight of God. He knew his strengths and his weaknesses. He knew that his life had a purpose beyond himself. This was a gift to and for him, to know with clarity who he was in the presence of God. The call of God was not a burden but a joy.

We live in a world where the claim that God has on his people is often not seen as a gift but a burden to be shrugged off. The power of the witness of John is that despite hard moments to be the forerunner: he rejoiced in the coming of Jesus and in his

place in the mission and life of Jesus. He knew that being the announcer of good news was an essential vocation. Johns’ willingness in humility to be insignificant in the wake of Jesus is a challenge for us. John like us accepts humility in the sight of God with the hope that our lives can be an offering of self totally to God, giving and receiving life and love which is the tone for the Christmas gift of the Incarnation.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, you know that our hearts long for the joy and gladness promised by life with you through your beloved Son. Help us to remember that you are with us always, and that our hearts will rest only when they rest with you. Gracious God, even though we are impatient for your coming and at the same time fearful of living our lives as one with you. Let your joy ease our anxiety, reward our

patience and remove any sorrow. Give us the grace to eagerly and joyfully await the

day of your Son’s birth. AMEN

ADVENT DISCIPLINE/ACTIVITY – Rose Sunday is the day that custom has it that we begin to decorate our homes for the holydays to come. This is the day the Christmas tree was cut down and brought to the family home. With decorations being put up on the tree for the next 12 days.

ANCIENT WISDOM/PRESENT GRACE: “Joy is a quiet gladness of heart as one contemplates the goodness of God’s saving grace in Christ Jesus.”- John Calvin, 16th Century Continental Reformer of the Faith

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