Reflection by Rev. Carol A. Prochaska, ret. – December 11, 2011

Third Sunday of Advent

Title: Led Into Joy

   Scriptures: Isaiah 61:1–4, 8–11; Luke 1:46b–55; 1Thessalonians 5:16–24 ; John 1:6–8, 19–28

This past week John and I received our first Christmas card. It came from my cousin Lynne. As adults over the years we have stayed in touch — connecting most often when there is a death in the family — but we always exchange Christmas greetings. Like most of my cousins, Lynne falls into the category of a life-long "non-church-goer." And yet — here's the card she sent:

Outside: Believe. Celebrate with hope and wonder and believe in the spirit of the season.
Inside: "Wishing you peace and joy this Christmas!" Love, Lynne

Well, Lynne, you are right on! Your card includes Hope for the first Sunday of Advent, Peace for the second Sunday of Advent, and Joy — so timely for this third Sunday of Advent.

There's no doubt in my mind that Lynne's wishes are sincere — but I doubt she was thinking of what we in the church call Advent, or that she was aware we be focusing on "joy" this Sunday. Of course — the word "joy" is all over the place at this time of year. We see it on cards and gift tags. In stores we hear recordings of "Joy to the World." There are TV and newspaper advertisements claiming that certain merchandise will bring joy. And then year-round lottery winners are said to be overjoyed! When a favorite team gets to play for the championship — the team's fans are overjoyed. And they're overjoyed again when their team wins the coveted trophy.

But in this place — on this third Sunday of Advent — it seems to me we would do well to ask ourselves: "What is meant by joy in the bible?" This morning we heard in Isaiah: "I will greatly rejoice in the Holy One", and from Mary: "My spirit rejoices in God my savior", and Paul in 1^st Thessalonians: "Rejoice always", and then in John, unsaid, but nevertheless evident, that this Mighty One who is coming will bring joy. (Just so there's no confusion the words "joy" and "rejoice" are interchanged depending on grammar and context.)

In the New Testament there are two Greek words for joy or rejoice. It interesting, I think, that these words are often linked with descriptive words such as greatly / much /exceedingly. You may remember the words of the Christmas angels bringing good news of great joy. One definition includes the phrase "Jumping for joy!" A simple definition for JOY is "Jesus Others You." If we flesh it out a bit, "joy" is feeling good about God, self, and others, all at the same time. So joy — biblical joy is not "a me only" happening: Joy comes because God loves us. God is present. God acts. Mary says: "the Mighty One has done great things for me..." Isaiah speaks of God bringing about deliverance and justice.

So joy has its beginnings in God's love. When this love is exposed, when this love is experienced and acknowledged — something stirs within — there's a kind of breaking apart (maybe something like ice on a lake breaking up in the springtime). There is a cracking open — and something emerges. There is praise and thanksgiving. We feel good about God, ourselves, and others all at the same time! We call this joy!

In the psalm for this morning which we did not read our faith ancestors say: "God has done great things for us and we are filled with joy." And then this same psalm goes on to say: "Those who now sow in tears will reap with shouts of joy;" And sure enough, joy does follow tears: You know those times when you cry that kind of heavy deep convulsing sobbing? Your whole body is weeping and it seems as if you will never stop — and then! Lo and behold! We actually run out of tears! And in their place is calm — rather like the calm and peacefulness that follows a pounding rain storm. Within this calm is a feeling of relief. We feel lighter — it seems to us that a burden has been lifted. We have a quiet confidence that "Yes —we can go on." And once again we feel connected to God and to the rest of the world. A smile may form and we whisper a thank you to God. We may not be jumping for joy but — we know we're loved, we know we're not alone, and we're glad that we're alive.

This morning we heard the apostle Paul saying: "Rejoice always — and give thanks for everything — for this is God's will." Seems a bit of a stretch does it not? (rather Pollyanna and even unrealistic?).

This witness of Paul's makes me think of someone saying "Smile! Things could be worse!" Well yes they could be but at the moment it is worse for me! However! We can be certain that Paul is not being unrealistic when it comes to suffering — he knew suffering first hand. He also knew firsthand God's faithfulness. We heard in his witness: "The one who calls you is faithful..." This is the One who came into the world to be the Light of the world — the Light the darkness has not overcome. So we can sing "Joy to the World" — we can sing it loudly and fearlessly — even in the dark — whatever that "dark" may be for us.

We also heard Paul's admonishment: "to test everything;" I hear in this a warning to be choosy in regards to the messages we heed. Whose witness do we take to heart? Whose words point to that which is Christ—like — that which is goodness and truth and righteousness? Whose words have the potential to lead us into feeling good about ourselves, others, and God all at the same time?

How about this? Every kiss begins with a diamond? Really?? Buy this model of car and on the highway get 8 L/100 km — wow! And this is going to benefit God's creation? How about when we angrily rant about how commercialized Christmas has become? Is this to be our witness to the wonder of the Word Incarnate? To Emmanuel — God with us? Are we taking seriously Paul's witness to "hold fast to what is good?" Is it not up to us to live the Christ in Christmas — to be a witness to the Love-Light that has come into the world for all people?

On page 8 of this month's Observer there is cartoon: The title is "Inherit the Mirth." It could have been "Inherit the Joy." It's a stable scene. Joseph and Mary are looking tenderly on the baby Jesus. The baby Jesus is sleeping peacefully in a trough on a bed of hay. Standing behind is a cow who is speaking to the donkey. The cow says: "I don't care if he's a 'special baby'. He's sleeping on my lunch!"

"Jesus Others You."? Feeling good about ourselves, God, and others all at the same time!?

Yes, Cousin Lynne — I "Believe" we believe. And yes, Cousin Lynne, we can "Celebrate with hope and wonder and believe in the spirit of the season." And yes, Cousin Lynne, we can "Wish [each other] peace and joy this Christmas!" Because? — because these words and their fulfillment come from our faithful God.