The third week in Advent is Gaudete Sunday – “Joy” Sunday. The candle on the Advent wreath is pink. If pastors have pink stoles and churches have pink paraments they bring them out. In the midst of a season which historically is more quiet and contemplative, the third week changes it up and shouts “Joy!”
What is joy for you? In the midst of a difficult year, what does joy look like?
Last evening my sister and I took a drive to Wilmington, MA to see the award-winning Christmas lights. (They’re award-winning because the Fiore family won the 2020 “Great Christmas Light Fight” on ABC.)
The house is on Concord Street – you can’t miss it because if it’s after dark you’ll be stuck in traffic and everyone ahead of you will be going to the same place.
As the cars slowly head up the long driveway, there are lit up Santas and reindeer, nativity scenes, trees, snowmen, carolers, and the like. At the top of the driveway there is a left-hand turn – and “Behold!” there before you is the most spectacular display of lights I’ve ever seen!
For me, Christmas lights lift my spirits in the midst of darkness. They make the evening walks with the dog more delightful (see what I did there?). But just as joyful is the fact that others are enjoying the same thing – the long lines of cars, the faces smiling in the windows, the understanding that each of us has experienced some joy this night.
This year we don’t have as many in-person opportunities to see the joy in each other. I hope that you discover some creative ways to experience such joy – even if it means you’re stuck in traffic for an hour 😊.
In Christ,
Pastor Jen