Shout for Joy

~~~Third Sunday of Advent~~~

~~~ Zephaniah 3:14-18a~~~Psalm(Is12)~~~Philippians 4:4-7~~~Luke 3:10-18~~~

 

As the coming of the Lord draws near excitement builds.

"Shout for joy...Sing joyfully...Be glad and exult with all your heart...

fear not...the Lord, is in your midst..."

 

When you are filled with joy and excitement for something to occur

that you have long awaited it is a glorious feeling.

The coming birth of the Lord is such a cause for extreme joy.

 

Today in our feeble attempt to relive the true joy of the Nativity

we have festive parties...

we decorate our homes with twinkling lights...

we give generously to family, friends, and strangers...

we sing Silent Night.

 

The excitement and joy of the little children dreaming about Santa

makes us wish it was contagious.

We encourage the kids to write their letters to Santa.

You can now even track Santa's travels across

 the nighttime skies on the computer.

 

It is so easy to forget the real reason we are celebrating.

The birth of the baby Jesus was such a profound event

that it has been preserved for some two thousand years.

 

The whole story surrounding His birth fascinates both young and old.

 

 

What I heard in the Gospel today was not to hoard.

"Whoever has two cloaks
should share with the person who has none.
And whoever has food should do likewise."

We should be generous with what we have.

We should not hold on to more than we need.

 

To the local tax collectors John the Baptist advised...

"Stop collecting more than what is prescribed."

Do not be greedy and selfish...avoid corruption...

avoid taking advantage of the less fortunate.

 

While John had been given the wisdom to preach the word of the Lord;

in his humility he accepts the fact that the one coming...Jesus...

is so much more than he.

 

John did baptize in the name of God the Father,

the Son and the Holy Spirit,

but he used water.

He foretells that the one who is to come

will baptize with fire..

tongues of fire of the Holy Spirit.

 

We have the blessing to experience both in our lives today.

Baptism of water and Baptism of the Holy Spirit.

 

Live your life listening to what your heart tells you

and you will live a life of generous love.

May the Joy of the season

illuminate your heart.