During this Advent, depending on where we are in our lives, and what spiritual lens we use, today’s readings will have different meanings to us. One thing for sure is that we can’t help but feel a movement in our souls when we read the scripture today. This movement feels like the Holy Spirit, and the fruit of this movement is Joy; leaping exuberant Joy. I must confess that my week has been a bit trying. I have felt the need to persuade myself to be in a good mood ---after all, it is advent, and Christmas is around the corner. I had grown weary of waiting and people telling me about perseverance, and then, I read today’s readings. These readings are like a good friend leading me by the hand, skipping to a place called hope. The readings leave no room for us to hide in our pain, or wallow in the darkness, or cover our faces. The readings call us to rise because we are beloved; to rise and journey with joy in our hearts because we are beloved. We are to go through life with exuberance and triumph, because any darkness in our life is about to be cancelled by the incoming radiance of light; any sadness is about to be turned into jubilation. We are to rise, rejoice, and remember our gift of joy.
Our readings today can be seen as an invitation to experience a new day; a new season; a new beginning. It is an invitation to us, God’s lovely children, to come out of our hiding places—wherever that place may be—and arise into life. All pain from illness, loss or loneliness, all struggles of the everyday of life, all that sends us into hiding, or leaves us crouching down with our heads in our laps and our eyes shut, are all temporary. The sweet fragrance of joy is always with us if we don’t get distracted by the things that steal it from us and send us into hiding.
Rejoice! O daughters and sons of God, do not be discouraged, God rejoices over you, wait for the birth of good news in your life. There is a new day on the horizon, so let us make room in the cradle of our hearts for the love of God. Let us live in joy; exuberant joy.