Laughter and Joy, Even Now

“Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with shouts of joy. Then it was said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.'” Psalm 126:2

Tomorrow is the Third Sunday of Advent, sometimes known as Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is Latin for “Rejoice,” which is the first word of the introit for the Mass on this day. While the focus of Advent is now more properly on hope and expectation, it used to be centered in penitence and fasting, much like Lent. The Third Sunday, however, was a joyful break from somber reflection. Hence the old form of using purple candles in the Advent wreath except for the rose candle for Gaudete Sunday.

Tomorrow at Grace, you’ll see only blue candles, as each week of Advent is one of royal expectation. But the themes of joy are still particularly present throughout the appointed lessons tomorrow. Listen! In the midst of Advent we are invited not only to watch, wait, and prepare; we are invited to joy, to laugh in the face of sin and death for we know our Savior comes. What better message for 2020? In the midst of our waiting, our isolation, our anxiety, we know Christ is coming. Our joy cannot be taken away, for the Lord has done great things for us.

Be well, friends. You are loved.

God of joy, restore our fortunes! In the midst of this dark and difficult season, remind us that the light still shines. Fill our hearts with hope, our mouths with laughter, and our spirits with generosity. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Image: the 125th anniversary ornament celebrating Grace Lutheran School, a source of great joy.