Advent 4 Rejoice In The Lord Always

 The Sunday in Advent that celebrates lighting the candle for Joy is usually on the third Sunday.  However, just to be a bit unpredictable, St. James Anglican Church marked the Advent Sunday for Joy this past Sunday.  This is referred to as Gaudete Sunday and the candle that is lit is the pink one which is the odd candle out and stands out amongst the other ones which are purple coloured.  The joy of Advent is that of anticipation and a celebration of what is to come.  This is in the middle of Advent which is the season of preparation.  Gaudete is the Latin word for rejoice which is a reminder that we should rejoice in the Lord always (Philippians 4: 4).  Advent began as a season of fasting and Gaudete Sunday marks the point at which we can look in anticipation in the breaking of the fast in the celebration and celebrating of the Twelve Days of Christmas culminating with Epiphany and the arrival of those tardy Wise Men. 

We can think of the joy of Mary in the knowledge that she is the God bearer with that dubious news that she would be a pregnant unwed mother - not great news in those days.  It is that mixture of joy in the midst of all that is going on, that signifies the true meaning of joy for me – the joy that despite all that is happening in the world and perhaps in my life, God is with me and will be born again for the world and for me.

Pope Francis expressed this aspect of joy in a very down to earth way in his first Gaudete Sunday as Pope:

In his 2014 Gaudete Sunday homily, Pope Francis said that Gaudete Sunday is known as the "Sunday of joy", and that instead of fretting about "all they still haven't" done to prepare for Christmas, people should "think of all the good things life has given you."

That joy is a sign and a reminder that Jesus did not come into this world to make life a bed of roses for us.  There are still challenges and rough roads and sorrows in our lives.  But we have joy which, as the Medical Mission Sisters sang, is like the rain amidst all the ups and downs and thunder clouds gathering:

I saw rain drops on my window, joy is like the rain
Laughter runs across my pane, slips away and comes again
Joy is like the rain

I saw clouds upon a mountain, joy is like a cloud
Sometimes silver, sometimes gray, always sun not far away
Joy is like a cloud

I saw Christ in wind and thunder, joy is tried by storm
Christ asleep within my boat, whipped by wind, yet still afloat
Joy is tried by storm

I saw rain drops on a river, joy is like the rain
Bit by bit the river grows, till all at once it overflows
Joy is like the rain

I am sure it is difficult for those on the west coast who have recently experienced rivers overflowing their banks, to experience joy in the midst of their trials.  Sometimes, joy is indeed difficult to find.  However, God is there always and so joy is there also.  Let us give thanks to the Lord in all things if not for all things.   So, let us rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice. 

Let us be blessed with joy on our journey to Christmas.