Joy - the third Sunday of Advent

I feel that our joy has been tainted by the evil of Friday's shooting.  I think as a nation we are stunned and weeping at the violence against innocence.   My dear friend Heidi  shares that our God weeps with us.   And I know that she is right.  


The beauty of the birth of our savior was tainted by violence against innocents too.  

Massacre of the Innocents

¹⁶ Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. ¹⁷ Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying:

¹⁸ “A voice was heard in Ramah,
Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children,
Refusing to be comforted,
Because they are no more.”

So as with Rachel we weep and mourn.
a little bird


The fact remains that it is the third Sunday in Advent.  And because of Jesus we can have Joy.

By now the family has probably decided on a day to circle round the Advent Wreath. At this gathering a third candle is lighted, and a member of the family speaks: “Today we will light the third candle – the candle of JOY”. This might be a time when the family reviews some words of a mighty church hymn: “Joy to the world, the Lord is come. No more let sins and sorrows grow. He rules the world with truth and grace.” Perhaps this is a time when family members can be reminded that God’s Holy Spirit surrounds each one and waits to guide each one through the future. Read John 15:11, and remember; God sent Jesus His Son to offer us a JOYFUL life. Thank you, Lord that you bring us JOY. Amen

excerpt from -article by Dick Hagerman - Used with permission