This third Sunday of Advent we celebrate the gift of joy. Think of the pure unbridled, squealing, giggling joy of kids on Christmas morning. That’s the joy we want as we anticipate the greatest gift ever given – God incarnate, overflowing with undeserved, indescribable grace.
We await Emmanuel, God with Us, who from our fears and sins releases us so we can dance a happy dance and make angels in the snow. This is the joy that like the North Star is always there, even when hidden by cloudy skies. Nothing, absolutely nothing in all creation can ever snuff out the joy in the hearts of God’s beloved who have knelt at Bethlehem’s manger.
And so today we relight the candles of Hope and Peace, and we add to the growing brightness by lighting the candle of Joy.
(Light 3 candles)
Please pray with me the prayer on the screen:
O merciful God, we confess our joy often gets lost in the hectic schedule of this season. We have so much to do and so little time. All the festivities are wonderful, but it’s so easy to lose track of what the season is all about. Break through our busyness and remind us of Isaiah’s wisdom that a little child shall lead us. Let us feel again childlike wonder, so joy can bubble up in our hearts, and for just a little while let us lose ourselves in the mystery of your holy incarnation. Amen
Northwest UMC, Columbus, Ohio
Peacefully Harsh 