Lawson Brown
Third Sunday of Advent Draws Near
Of the third Sunday of Advent, author Scott Cairns writes:
On this third Sunday of expectations, we have rounded the corner to Christmas. Our wait is almost over. But it is still Advent, and the celebration of Christ’s birth is yet to come. We rejoice this Sunday not just because Christmas is near - that celebration will come later. The reason for our joy now is based is based upon a more complex understanding of the Incarnation: that we are privileged to experience God with us at all times, even during this sober time of waiting.
In several church traditions, including Roman Catholic, Episcopal, and Lutheran, the third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete means “rejoice,” and is the first word of the entrance song in today’s liturgy - Gaudete in Domino, or “Rejoice in the Lord.”
Joy is the theme of the reading from Isaiah: “The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.” We are still in the season of waiting and preparation. But Gaudete Sunday represents the joy of God with us even now; it reminds us that our waiting is never without hope. This Sunday we experience anew the essential paradox of the Advent season: light in darkness, presence in absence, fulfillment in the midst of longing.
The paradox of joy in the midst of desire is embodied in a practice involving the Advent wreath. The candles that ring the wreath are traditionally purple in color - all except one. The third Sunday of Advent is represented by a rose colored candle - a hint of the joy to come. On the other three Sundays we light purple candles, the color of repentance and preparation. But on Gaudete Sunday we get something of a break from our acts of spiritual discipline and receive a foretaste of the grande celebration that will soon take place…
The familiar Advent song “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” speaks of Christ’s long-awaited coming to Israel, but we should not miss the important point that Christ comes to us again and again, not just in that historic moment in time. Emmanuel means “God with us,” and refers to all of the ways that God becomes incarnate in our lives here and now. During Advent, as we remember the day that Christ was born, and as we look forward to the glory of his kingdom, we also come to the profound realization that God breaks into our lives even now.
[Taken from Rediscovering the Meaning of Christmas: GOD WITH US, Scott Cairns, Emilie Griffin, Richard John Neuhaus, Kathleen Norris, Eugene Peterson, Luci Shaw.]
Happening at NWRC this week!
A CHRISTMAS STORY presents this Friday (Dec 09), 7:00 pm, Saturday (Dec 10), 7:00 pm, Sunday (Dec 11), 10:30 am at Bearspaw Lifestyle Centre. This event is free admission - donations to Samaritans Purse for hunger relief in Africa will be received. Note that offerings may also be made to the budget needs of NWRC in all three events. Chorale anthems, carol singing, a children’s feature, storytelling, Christmas baking, hot drinks, and a beautiful wonderland atmosphere are all part of what is happening this week end. Our purpose is to welcome our community and to minister to our own congregation - we urge you to bring your friends. The facility is not large so we encourage people to come in the evenings if possible, as Sunday is bound to be full.
Directions: Google map is great. GPS: 253220 Bearspaw Rd. Text directions: go west on Crowchild, pass 12 Mile Coulee Road intersection, turn left at next lights (Bearspaw Road), quickly come to “T”, turn left then first right, this road goes right past Bearspaw Lifestyle Centre. Note that there will be no service at the theatre this week end.
Wherever you are found this Advent season, may you know the Christ of Christmas in your heart...