The Advent season provides a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the hope we have in Jesus, and in the coming of Jesus, at the beginning and again at the end of the age. It is a celebration of the special virtues of Love and Peace that only Christ can give. It is also a special announcement of Joy!
The third Sunday in Advent is called Gaudete Sunday, While preparing for the coming of Christ on Christmas morning, there is an increasing sense of joy, an increasing assurance of the fulfillment of God's eternal purpose. God's kingdom is coming, God's will is being accomplished, on earth as it is in heaven.
It brings to mind the beautiful hymn sung by the angels at that first announcement: "I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people."
"Glory to God in the highest heaven.
an on earth peace peace to those on whom his favor rests."
I can't imagine a more universal declaration of joy! The Good News of the coming of the Lord is bringing "great joy," and not just for a select few but "for all the people." God's peace and favor is coming to rest on those anticipating his presence. Glory to God indeed!
Our joy calls to mind the exhortation of Paul. "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" (Philippians 4:4). Paul is using a common word that just refers to being glad about something, delighted by something or someone, to experience and express true joy. While the word is common and general, Paul clarifies the intended object of rejoicing, the reason for the joy. "Rejoice in the Lord." It is the Lord himself, the presence of the Lord, our contemplation of the glory of the Lord, that is the cause of our rejoicing.
Rejoicing "always" shows that, no matter what our circumstance or challenge, because the Lord remains the same, our rejoicing can be constant. "Rejoice always" (1 Thessalonians 5:16).
In fact, Jesus himself often instructed his followers to rejoice, giving specific objects of their joy:
- Those who are persecuted because of their devotion to Jesus should rejoice (Matthew 5:12; Luke 6:23)
- His followers are to rejoice because their names are recorded in heaven (Luke 10:20)
- After his resurrection his disciples will rejoice, "and no one will take away your joy" (John 16:22)
The powerful theme of joy has long been a focus in my life. I have what some would call a "melancholic temperament." It probably comes from being an introvert who tends to overthink everything. Having a short anxiety fuse doesn't help. For that reason, cultivating cheerfulness has always been a high priority for me. (Only those who know me very well recognize that the ability to be funny if not silly is a coping strategy.) Fortunately, joy and rejoicing in the Lord are not dependent on personality or context. The Lord and the glory of the Lord never changes. The grace to focus on that glory is the surest strategy for the ability to rejoice always!
Christmas is not a joyful time for everyone. Some remember the loss of a loved one or may be alone during the holidays. For that reason, some churches have established a Blue Christmas service during Advent, a time of comfort and healing.
It's no wonder the angels were in a celebratory, rejoicing mode on that first Christmas morning. The glory of the Lord was being revealed in a local feed trough. The grace of God was visiting planet earth. A bridge of reconciliation was being built that would benefit all who chose to cross it back to the Father, resulting in "joy unspeakable and full of glory."
There has been sufficient reason to sincerely rejoice since that morning with the angels and the shepherds and the family in the cave. But somehow the greatest joy is yet to come. We have hope for today but as people of hope, we see the grand climax of the rejoicing that was inaugurated so long ago. At the end of the age our King, our Lord and God, will return to fully establish his rule, winning a final victory over sin, death and hell. And in that day the angels will once again announce joy.
"Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready" (Revelation 19:7).
Advent 2017 is a time of preparation and a time of rejoicing. The Lamb has come. Emmanuel is with us. And the best is yet to come!
