December 14th to 20th
Third Week of Advent
Sometimes called Gaudete Sunday – Rejoice!
Reading:James 5:7-9 (NIV)
7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
Gaudete is Latin for “Rejoice!”, and this week we are focussing on Joy and Rejoicing in the Lord, in who He is and in everything that He does in our lives. Today we see the dual themes of rejoicing; firstly in the fact that He will soon come to earth as a baby, and will live among us for about 30 years as God in human form. We also need to be aware of the greatest ever future event in human history, the glorious King Jesus who will come to judge the world and finally to wrap up the progress of time; He will take us Christians to be with Him for ever, and that is surely a cause for rejoicing!
In November as I write this, my wife and I are both I are both suffering from Covid, there is significant ill health and infirmity elsewhere in our family, various friends are suffering from cancer (including me) and our brand new shower delivers only cold water, yet my overarching feeling as I woke was a sudden memory of Psalm 118:24 (ESV): This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!
It is important not to confuse joy with happiness. Christian joy comes from having Jesus in every aspect of our lives and from the sure knowledge of knowing Him personally; He is not only our Lord and Saviour, but also our Friend and Brother[1]. We can take all the highs and lows of our day and share them with Him; He will comfort us in our griefs and sorrows, the loss of a loved one, our health challenges and so on; He will also rejoice with us in our joys: family and friends, our home, the beauty of nature and so on.
Thank you Jesus for today. Thank you that whatever trials we may face, you are always there with us, giving us your strength either by walking with us or by carrying us through them. We rejoice in you and we praise your Name. Amen
Peter Sebborn
Christian.Footsoldier@gmail.com
[1] The well-known song As the deer pants for the water includes the lyric, You’re my Friend and You are my Brother, Even though You are a King. See John 15:15 and Hebrews 2:11.