A Rose is for Rejoicing
Today, most of us are in the middle of our Christmas preparations. We are trying to get cards out and gifts purchased if we can find them. We may be busy putting up Christmas decorations in anticipation of the upcoming celebration. This celebration is the birth of Christ, the divine presence given to us as one of us, for our salvation.
We need to remind ourselves that it is for this reason that we are preparing. All our beautiful Christmas traditions are just reflections of this deep celebration. Sometimes, we become too anxious because we may feel that we cannot get everything prepared on time.
This third week of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday because we “rejoice” in knowing our Savior will come soon. Clergy wear rose-colored vestments to signify joy. St. Paul, in the second reading from Philippians, tells us “Rejoice in the Lord always…Have no anxiety at all but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God.”
With a rising number of COVID cases, and toys and gifts being on the backlog, to have “no anxiety” is challenging! However, we are blessed with a God of mercy who has made a career out of rescuing His people. Fear and discouragement are not compatible with our faith in a God of Mercy.
Look around your parish this weekend. There are smiling faces everywhere. You may even find glimpses of rose, peeking out from the Advent purple. Deep into the heart of winter darkness, with Christmas near, we find reason to share a little Joy.
Blessings,
Deacon Mark
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