Dear Grace Church Family,
This Sunday is the third Sunday in Advent. It is known as Gaudette Sunday. The word Gaudette means, “rejoice!” On this third Sunday, we will light the pink candle for joy. It is fitting that our Cantata is this Sunday as well. It is going to be a Sunday not to miss. I have had the privilege of hearing the choir practice and it is going to be a stunning performance. It is a wonderful Sunday to invite friends. You can enjoy the performance at our combined 10:00 am service or at 6:00 pm.
When we think of the gift of joy in our lives, there is a tendency to confuse it with happiness. It is true they are similar emotions, but the Christian understanding of joy is less fleeting than happiness. I remember sitting with a long-term member of one of my congregations. She was absolutely someone who exhibited joy. Yet, she was also someone who struggled deeply in her life. When I asked her how she kept her joy, she said this, “Oh I have seen my share of hard times, but God has been so good to me. This life is such a gift.” Her grateful heart seemed to fuel her joyful spirit.
One of my favorite books was written by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Dali Llama and is entitled, The Book of Joy. If you have not already read it, I highly recommend it. In it, the Dali Llama says this, “the three factors that seem to have the greatest influence on increasing our happiness are our ability to reframe our situation more positively, our ability to experience gratitude, and our choice to be kind and generous.” Life can be painted in so many ways, but when we choose to live into the gift of it, even in the middle of hardships, joy often follows.
The gift of baby Jesus born into our midst, is a gift that fills the world with hope. The world was filled with joy over the good news of the birth of Jesus. As you approach this third Sunday in advent, consider your life. What are you grateful for? What do you wait for with longing and expectation? Henri Nouwen shares that, “joy does not simply happen to us. We have tochoose joy and keep choosing it every day.” Reflect on a person you know that chooses joy every day. May your life be marked by joy more and more.
Our wait is nearly over. Christmas eve will soon be here. Please consider who you might invite to services.
As always, I am grateful to be…
With you on the journey,
Pastor Michelle