Sermon Cloud

Some experiences have a way of marking your life, even from the most tender age. Many years ago, when I was still a small child, I remember these weeks leading up to Christmas as a time when we would gather pieces of candy, mandarin oranges and some small gifts, wrap them in bright cellophane paper and then bundle them all up and take them to a place we called the "Santa mission".

That was quite some time ago now, but I still remember the lineups of children who would come to receive their small packages. For some of them, this would be the only gift they could hope to receive. The bright purple, yellow, red and orange paper and the simple contents caused them to smile, their eyes to gleam as they accepted these cherished tokens.

We should never tire of seeking ways to bring joy to children of all ages. It doesn't cost a whole lot to do good deeds for others, and sometimes the most simple gestures can bring the greatest joys.

Just a few years ago, according to God's time, we commonly referred to the third Sunday of Advent as Gaudete Sunday - the Sunday of Joy and Rejoicing. This title is not often attributed any longer to this particular day, but the Church still rejoices today with expectant and anticipatory joy as we look forward to the birthday of our Lord.

In former days, the colour of vestments would change today from the purple of Advent to pink, and perhaps the only vestige of this colour change which remains is the pink candle in the Advent wreath.

The joy of this Sunday is still evident though in the scripture readings proposed for this celebration. The prophet Zephaniah encourages us in the first reading today to "Sing aloud ... shout ... rejoice and exult with all your heart" ( Zeph 3:14), and the letter to the Philippians reminds us to "rejoice in the Lord always" ( Phil 4:4), but what exactly is God's understanding of joy, and how do we partake in it.

In the words of the Baptist, joy is found when we recognize our own giftedness and choose to share with others the abundances we have received. Whether we share simple gifts like candy and oranges, wrapped in brightly coloured paper, or the extra cloak that has been hanging in the closet (see Lk 3:10-14), joy is to be found in the honest accomplishment of our life's work, and the giving and sharing of our talents and gifts, especially with those who are most in need.

In the coming week, let us be especially attentive to the blessings we have received, and pray for the gift of generous hearts, capable of reaching beyond our own desires and responding to the needs of those around us. Then this Christmas will be a very different experience, and our hearts will overflow with God's joy