The third Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday or rejoicing Sunday – we are drawing nearer to the celebration of the Incarnation at Christmas. We light the rose-coloured candle on the Advent wreath, which symbolises joy. For any special event or celebration, much of the joy is in anticipation of it. We imagine how it will be and how we will feel when the time comes, and we feel a bubble of excitement. The Third Sunday of Advent is a
reminder to make space in our hearts for joy.
It’s not easy to rejoice when we struggle in the fourth wave of the pandemic, as we deal with uncertainties and losses and perhaps grieve separation from loved ones, illness or bereavement. We are not being asked to deny that our current reality is a painfully difficult one for many of us. There may be many things about this Christmas that we were looking forward to that are no longer possible.
And yet, as Christians, there is another deeper level at which we can feel joy. Even during pain and sadness, we can look forward to the joy of experiencing the reality that Christ is born for us. We look forward to celebrating the truth that the Creator of the universe chose to become one with us in the person of Jesus. Joy is a gift, a grace. Surprisingly, it is a grace that we can experience, even when we are also facing immense difficulties in
our lives.
Recently, while listening to a friend who has a severe illness from which she may not recover, I was deeply struck. Despite her pain and the uncertainty she faces, her firm conviction that God loves her and is with her has produced a profound joy that is incredible to witness. But this kind of joy is not something we can force or conjure up. It is a gift of God that comes silently and unexpectedly. But we can ask for this great gift of joy.
Perhaps that is the grace we seek in this week of Advent.
Take some time today to ask God for the grace of profound joy.
