4th Sunday of Advent-Be The Light

 

It's the last Sunday before Christmas and all of the Advent candles have now been lit!  It's so exciting as we anticipate and celebrate Christ's arrival as the "Light of the World"  Some of the newer Advent wreaths have a fifth white candle, a Christ Candle to be lit at Christmas.  Whatever traditions you follow, the meaning of Advent is not lost.  That's because it offers a laser-like focus on Christ's arrival as the Messiah and his second coming as God's own appointed ruler and judge.

That laser-like light exposes, cleanses, and purifies everything it shines upon.  There is an old saying, "Nothing sanitizes like sunlight."  This is true naturally and metaphorically. So as we celebrate  the first coming of Christ as "The Light of the World", let us be that light, remembering what he said about us:

Matthew 5:14-15

14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

Gaudete Sunday "Rejoice"!

 

This 3rd Sunday is traditionally known as Gaudete Sunday on the Advent Calendar. Gaudete is Latin for rejoice.  We light the pink candle of the Advent Wreath which corresponds to joy.  It reminds me of the old Christmas carol, "Joy to the World"!  We sing it and hear it every year but do we really listen to the words?  Truly it wraps up the spirit and meaning of Advent in the very first verse:

Joy to the world, the Lord has come
Let earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing
And heaven, and heaven and nature sing!

This verse heralds the arrival of the true King of Kings and Lord of Lords! That is definitely something to rejoice about.  Also, that same King brings the gift of salvation and everlasting life. Revelation indicates just that.  When Christ returns: "And behold I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to repay to each man according to his work shall be." 

This time of year is often fought with depression as people navigate being alone and isolated during the holidays.  If we focus our minds on the true "Gift" given over 2,000 years ago, it may help change our perspective a bit.  Likewise, if we focus on serving God by helping and being charitable to others, we will find joy in those privileges as well.

Phil. 4:4-5

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice!"

The Second Sunday of Advent

The altar and the vestments of the priest and decon are all in purple array awaiting the coming of the King of Israel.  Last Sunday we lit the first purple candle of Hope and this week the candle of Faith.  What does all this purple represent?  In the Catholic tradition, violet is the symbol of penance so it is worn for both Advent and Lent. However, it is also the color most associated with royalty!  As we are joined to Christ, the Bible says we are a royal priesthood and co-heirs with him.  Therefore if we are in Christ, we share all that the Father has lavished on the Son.  That is the gift of the "better covenant" Christ brought for us with his own blood.

1 Peter 2:9 "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into the marvelous light;"

So let us walk in the light as if we were these lit candles.  In doing so we are showing forth the praises of God and His Son Christ Jesus who dwell in unapproachable light.  As the decon says: "Go in peace glorifying the Lord by your life."  Yes, may we shine for Him!

Having a Joyful Advent and Christmas Season Amid Covid-19

 

It seems Covid-19 has appeared as the ultimate and preeminent "Grinch" of this year's Advent and Christmas seasons.  It's easy, therefore to let external influences steal our joy but only if we let it. We may be meeting in smaller groups but at least we are still meeting.  My local church is open with only 1/3 capacity but there is no diminishing in the edification of hearing the Word of God and praying collectively with my brothers and sisters in Christ.

So what can we do to share the Gospel, show mercy and charity this season?  In seasons past, I would bring my Autoharp to the local hospital wards and nursing homes to play Christmas carols and hymns. While I can't do that this year, what I CAN do is play these songs in my own home.  Here's my book of Songs of Christmas for Autoharp which I am now transposing for piano. It allows Christmas music to project throughout the house and even my neighborhood.  I've never heard of a noise complaint for loud piano playing!  The point is even though I can not share my joy with the outside, I can indeed express it within.  Add to this, seek out community Christmas Giving Trees where you can purchase a requested toy for a needy child.  How about cleaning your closet and donating some warm clothes to others?  Maybe you might bring by a casserole or other food items to a neighbor who will be celebrating Christmas alone this year?

Let me encourage you even as I have been encouraged by Msgr. Peter of my local parish.  That is to ask God to bless and make fruitful your ministry despite the current environmental, political, or social situations.  I'll leave you with one of my favorite ministry verses from the Apostle Paul:

"Preach the word. Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." 2 Timothy 4:2