Stop and Count the Joy this Advent

Happy Gaudete Sunday!

On this third Sunday of Advent, the entrance antiphon for Mass, which is taken from Philippians 4:4, reminds us to “Rejoice in the Lord always!"

Even if there have been challenges or sorrows this Advent... Whether we are tired or too busy... No matter where we may find ourselves at this moment - shouldering crosses or basking in moments of obvious grace... we rejoice!

Why? Because no matter what this moment may include, the big picture is a joyful one!

There is joy in God's plan as foretold by the prophets. Christ's birth, the way He died to save us from our sins (Mt 1:21), the promise of Him coming again to give believers the crown of righteousness (2 Tm 4:8) and a place in His Father’s house (Jn 14:2).... JOY!

And so the vestments of the priest at Mass and the symbolic color of the candle on our Advent wreath brightens from the usual penitential purple of the season to rose this Sunday as we joyfully anticipate the annual celebration of the Solemnity of Christmas and prepare for the coming of Chris in our lives.

Today is also a wonderful day to pause from the harried pace that preparing for Christmas might cause to simply reflect on the joys in our lives.

Big ones. Small ones. All the ones in between. Ones that come from living Advent and ones that come just from living each day as it comes. Life is replete with joy when you stop to count blessings.

Today, I encourage you to do just that!

I know I am.

This year for a number of personal reasons my family has not celebrated Advent as robustly as we have in some years past, but we have still been observing some of our traditions and embracing moments to prepare our hearts and homes for Christ. Praise be to God for every blessing.

In fact, as I browsed recent photos on my camera, I could not help but to smile with abundant joy and gratitude as some snapshots helped me count blessings:

Witnessing the glory of God's creation on walks.

Cooking meals to share with others.

Making time to connect with one another.

Celebrating St. Nicholas Day with a visit from St. Nicholas.

... and volunteering at My Brother's Keeper,

which is one of our favorite Advent traditions,

along with secretly gifting someone in the Spirit fo St. Nicholas.

Stealth gifting is so much fun!

And, even if we typically wait for Christmas Eve to celebrate Christmas, we do make room for some seasonal festivities with friends...

...laughing along with silly Santa at an annual Christmas party a friend hosts...

... taking in the symphony and a friend's show choir singing...

All the while slowly preparing our home by putting out parts of the manger each week...

... and getting the tree to decorate on Christmas Eve...

Slipping in traditions after school and before other commitments...

Making time for moments to pause the busyness and spend time in nature with friends...

Appreciating the glory of God evidenced in moments...

... and enjoying time after Mass now and again to pray, walk, and talk together.

Seeing the forest and the trees... the big picture and the snippet of life that God has blessed us with...

Taking down links of our Advent chain and doing simple service with friends, too...

...such as making cards for nursing home residents at co-op.

Sometimes focused...

Sometimes fun...

Always blessed!

Yes, as I was looking back at recent snapshots today and thinking about many unpictured moments, too, I reflected with joy on the gifts of this season, on the ways Christ works in us and through us and those we know, and on the promise of Christ in our lives.

May you have myriad blessings to count and be joy-filled about today, too!