3. Advent 2016

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Time continues to move us toward Christmas ... We have already celebrated the 1. Advent and 2. Advent Sundays.

The 3rd Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete Advent.  Gautede is the Latin word for REJOICE.

 "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Let your moderation be known to all men, the Lord is at hand; be careful for nothing, but in all things, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known unto God."  Philippians 4:4

A friend recently mentioned on Facebook how she knew of many people who are going into the Christmas season in particular with heavy hearts.  I too know of a few families who are facing the death of a loved one, are feeling financial pressures more than ever, and some who are just worn down with worries and care.  I too can get caught up in the general sadness of circumstances and situations.  While it is easy to REJOICE in good times and when life seems #blessed, it isn't always do easy to do when burdened down with care.  

 A Dutch theologian Henri Nouwen, who lived and taught in the United States for a while until close to his death in 1996, was known for openly sharing about personal struggles and how to deal with them with a spiritual perspective.  I don't necessarily endorse his theology or everything he said and wrote; however, he gave a good description of the difference between being happy and having joy:

While happiness is dependent on external conditions, joy is "the experience of knowing that you are unconditionally loved and that nothing -- sickness, failure, emotional distress, oppression, war, or even death -- can take that love away."  Thus joy can be present even in the midst of sadness.

And I would add that if you know Jesus PERSONALLY, there is much to rejoice about just in the fact that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son ... John 3:16

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Good Christian men, rejoice with heart and soul, and voice;

Give ye heed to what we say: News! News! Jesus Christ is born today;

Ox and ass before Him bow; and He is in the manger now.

Christ is born today! Christ is born today!

Good Christian men, rejoice, with heart and soul and voice;

Now ye hear of endless bliss: Joy! Joy! Jesus Christ was born for this!

He has opened the heavenly door, and man is blest forevermore.

Christ was born for this! Christ was born for this!

Good Christian men, rejoice, with heart and soul and voice;

Now ye need not fear the grave: Peace! Peace! Jesus Christ was born to save!

Calls you one and calls you all, to gain His everlasting hall.

Christ was born to save! Christ was born to save!