Someone posted this on my Facebook wall today and I can't stop laughing about it!
The third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudate Sunday. Sadly because of nativity services so early I didn't have chance to speak about it today. It would be a bit high church of me to put a pink candle on the Advent ring but it is a good thing. I know, it seems that no matter where you look there is bad news! However, all of the pain, hurt, fear, worry, and that awful killer on the loose in our modern mania, fear and stress, need not distract us from the source of true Joy, God revealed among us. We rejoice on Gaudate Sunday, because the Lord is always near, He is always coming to those who have the eyes of living faith.
Zephaniah had the right idea:
"Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart,O daughter Jerusalem! The LORD has removed the judgment against you he has turned away your enemies;the King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst,you have no further misfortune to fear. On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged! The LORD, your God, is in your midst,a mighty saviour;he will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, he will sing joyfully because of you,as one sings at festivals."
Not easy I know sometimes to rejoice, the meaning of Gaudate. Perhaps another picture illustrates this nicely:
We used to do our exams at Townsend C of E School (the great Miss Legerton, our Headmistress, eccentricity personified, pictured here) facing the school motto "rejoice in the Lord alway" - there wasn't much to rejoice about as you sweated over algebra let me tell you. The text reminds us to keep going in adversity and be reminded of what is good and lovely and true while we journey. What have you to rejoice about today as you read this?
Today has been a day of little rejoicings:
Watching little Charlotte at Pett Toy Service this morning putting a wrapped toy on a pile then spotting another pile and saying to her granny "are these for me?"
Watching three adults playing three kings pretending to ride camels!
Singing in a choir for fun this afternoon.
Enjoying a leisurely dinner (and missing Circuit events to do so) with some special friends.
Being reminded I am cared for. There is plenty to rejoice about, to be pink about in the midst of the travelling. And if you are in love with a tape dispenser tonight, rejoice in that!
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