16 December 2020
Oh it’s started to get exciting! The little ones in our family, namely the two three-year-olds “get it” this year. The Christmas Lights, the decorations, setting up the Christmas tree, putting on the star, displaying the nativity scene, the photo with Santa and the discussions with their older brothers and sisters all point towards an impending arrival on Christmas Day.
The count is on!
And so too should our excitement be escalated. The third candle, the PINK or ROSE one, has been lit for the third week of Advent. There is ONLY one more week to go.
The candle of JOY- which is what the Pink Candle represents – Gaudete Sunday is the correct terminology. Gaudete means in latin REJOICE!
Why are we rejoicing now? Jesus has not come yet.
This is a reminder part way through the Advent Season, which is a preparation for Jesus’ birth, to be joy-filled already. Jesus IS COMING! Do you feel that adrenaline rising, those excited bubbles in your stomach?
If this Christmas season JESUS DID actually decide to return would we be ready?
Are you ready for the ADVENTure? The unusual and exciting experience that one day will occur?
Just recently Pope Francis reminded us,
“Do not forget joy! Christians are joyful at heart, even in trials. They are joyful because they are close to Jesus.”
Amidst the rush and stress of the end of another school year, a work year, a retired year, a year with little ones at home are we finding any peace, any Joy?
Especially this year, a year of strain, disease, sickness, death. A year of unknowing for the future, uncertainty, disunity, pain, and anxiousness.
We are reminded time and time again in the Bible to be joy-filled. This planet Earth is but our temporary home. There will one day be no more tears, no more pain, for HE will WIPE THEM AWAY HIMSELF.
He will wipe away ever tear from their eyes and death shall be no more and neither shall there be anguish nor grief nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away.
Rev 21:4 AMP
He will fill us even NOW with the JOY of Himself.
You make known to me the Path of Life, you will fill me with Joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16:11 NIV
And Paul, a disciple of Jesus encourages us to…
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, Faithful in Prayer.
Rom 12:12 NIV
So I would love to be able to give you a dose of JOY. A dose of excitement like what the little ones are beginning to show. A dose of Jesus who only in God there is FULLNESS of JOY.
And so may this prayer from Romans fall upon you like a shower of rain in a dry desert, revitalising you and bringing you new blooms, new life, new effervescent joy bubbling up inside of you because you are a DAUGHTER of the KING of KINGS who is COMING soon.
May the God of hope fill you with ALL JOY and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow (See the effervescent bubbles) with hope by the Power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13 NIV
May these jottings from my journal inspire you to believe in and fall in love with Christ- the hope of the world, as stated in Jeremiah 17:7, ‘Blessed is the man who believes and trusts in and relies on the Lord and whose hope and confident expectation is the Lord!’
Love
Rosemary
Every week groups of ladies meet together to chat about the things I raise in my weekly blog post and to chat about life in general. We call these ‘Heart Connect’ groups. If you would like more information please click HERE.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Amidst the rush and stress of the end of the year are you finding peace and joy in Christ? Are you able to focus on the fullness of joy in God?
Do you feel that you are missing this season of Advent? If so, what can you do to re-focus yourself this week?