This third week of Advent focuses on the theme of joy. In some churches, this is known as "Gaudete Sunday," "gaudete" being the plural command "rejoice!" in Latin. In many liturgical denominations, such as the Roman Catholic, Lutheran and Anglican churches, this Sunday is different from the rest of Advent in that the priests/pastors wear different colored vestments (typically rose or blue), and this week a rose-colored, rather than violet, candle is lit on the Advent wreath. Gaudete Sunday represents the fact that Christians have passed the midway point of Advent, and, while there is still time of waiting, penitence, and preparation before Christmas actually arrives, we are to be reminded of the joy that is coming.
Sometimes I think people confuse joy with happiness. When I was younger I was taught that happiness is dependent on circumstances, but joy persists no matter what happens. It's an overly simplified understanding of the difference, but I think it's effective. Happiness is more of a mood that comes and goes, but joy is something you learn and practice. It is not always an easy character trait to maintain, but it's well worth it. I think one of the keys to fostering joy is having gratitude. Thankfulness is a great antidote to grumbling and misery. There is always something to be grateful for too.
I can never think of joy and thankfulness that endures despite trials without thinking of the life of Corrie Ten Boom. If you've never read her autobiography, "The Hiding Place," I highly recommend it. Corrie and her family lived in the Netherlands during WWII and were sent to a concentration camp for harboring Jews. Their story of faith, suffering, and courage is worth reading for multiple reasons, but it is the example of Corrie's sister, Betsie, that I want to highlight here. When the sisters were finally moved to a permanent barracks in Ravensbruck, a move they thought might bring some improvement to their situation, they found instead rooms that smelled of sewage, rotting sheets, and "beds" that were nothing more than tiered plank platforms for as many women as could fit. The final insult was that the beds were crawling with fleas. As Corrie looked around and felt despair, Betsie reminded her of I Thessalonians 5:16-18, which says, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Betsie then began praying and thanking God for everything in the room... including the fleas. That was too much for Corrie who thought that there was no possible good that could come of them. I feel like her attitude is understandable. If I'd been in her situation, I probably would have felt the same. Betsie was persistent though, and, as they later learned, the fleas kept the guards from entering the room, which meant the women were able to hold forbidden Bible studies without any trouble. It was these Bible studies that allowed the women to find the light in the darkness and joy even in the worst of situations.
Sometimes I think people confuse joy with happiness. When I was younger I was taught that happiness is dependent on circumstances, but joy persists no matter what happens. It's an overly simplified understanding of the difference, but I think it's effective. Happiness is more of a mood that comes and goes, but joy is something you learn and practice. It is not always an easy character trait to maintain, but it's well worth it. I think one of the keys to fostering joy is having gratitude. Thankfulness is a great antidote to grumbling and misery. There is always something to be grateful for too.
I can never think of joy and thankfulness that endures despite trials without thinking of the life of Corrie Ten Boom. If you've never read her autobiography, "The Hiding Place," I highly recommend it. Corrie and her family lived in the Netherlands during WWII and were sent to a concentration camp for harboring Jews. Their story of faith, suffering, and courage is worth reading for multiple reasons, but it is the example of Corrie's sister, Betsie, that I want to highlight here. When the sisters were finally moved to a permanent barracks in Ravensbruck, a move they thought might bring some improvement to their situation, they found instead rooms that smelled of sewage, rotting sheets, and "beds" that were nothing more than tiered plank platforms for as many women as could fit. The final insult was that the beds were crawling with fleas. As Corrie looked around and felt despair, Betsie reminded her of I Thessalonians 5:16-18, which says, "Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." Betsie then began praying and thanking God for everything in the room... including the fleas. That was too much for Corrie who thought that there was no possible good that could come of them. I feel like her attitude is understandable. If I'd been in her situation, I probably would have felt the same. Betsie was persistent though, and, as they later learned, the fleas kept the guards from entering the room, which meant the women were able to hold forbidden Bible studies without any trouble. It was these Bible studies that allowed the women to find the light in the darkness and joy even in the worst of situations.
This Sunday, as we look forward to the joy of Christmas, I hope that you all are able to practice and grow in joy. No matter whether life is going smoothly or everything is falling apart, I pray that you can find something to be thankful for and a reason to rejoice. For Christians, Christmas reminds us that Christ's birth led to our reconciled relationship with God, and thus we always have a reason to be joyful. May you remember this and feel the delight of the season today, and every day to come.
Years ago when my sister interned at Elevation Church's creative team, they created the above video as part of a way to spread the news about their Christmas sermon series. I feel like it fits with this post seeing as how it shows, in a beautiful way, the combination of anticipation, light, and joy. The song playing in the background is even the intro to a modern rendition of "Joy to the World." Plus, if you're looking closely, you'll even catch a glimpse of my lovely sister. :)
Jenn, Emily, and Shannon, my lovely hand models for this post, clearly understand the joy of this Christmas season. They asked for a shout out, so here you go, ladies. :)
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