Last Sunday was the 3rd Sunday of Advent. We lighted the 3rd candle that has the unique color of the 4 candles, the pink candle that represents JOY.
This week, almost halfway through, we are challenged to be joyful and ever rejoicing for the Lord is coming. Well, if you’re in the Philippines, one indication that Christmas is really coming is the overwhelming traffic in the Metro! Literally! You’ll be exhausted at the same time desperate to go back home. It’s either you leave your house so early or very late to avoid the Christmas rush that everybody is doing. It’s the other indication that the birth of Jesus Christ is just days away!
Even so, if you come to think of it, everyone is really doing something to share a simple thing to their friends and loved ones. I remembered when I was in HS, we had this seminar and my group was assigned to reflect on being joyful in sharing. We were reminded of the Proverb, “A joy that is shared Is a joy made double“. True enough, every time we share something may it be material thing or service to others, another person would be grateful for your deed. And imagine how beautiful the world would be if everyone learns the value of being joyful in sharing.
Here’s a beautiful excerpt I read in the internet about the 3rd week of Advent:
Light in darkness
At Christmas time our city is bathed in light. But so many have no idea that this light symbolises our Lord Jesus, the Light of the World, born among us at this time. And we may ask ourselves into the lives of how many people this Christmas will we bring the Light of Jesus? How many will experience Jesus being reborn within them through our witnessing?
There are so many people out there who live in darkness. There are so many who are poor in so many ways, even though financially well-off. So many who lack real freedom, the freedom to choose truth and love in all they do and say. So many who are deafened by the consumerist din around them. So many, in the midst of all the superficial jollity, who feel lonely, unwanted, rejected, marginalised. So many broken hearts amid all the party-going. There are people who simply hate Christmas because it only increases their inner pain and deep sadness.
So many out there are waiting. Waiting for us to shine the light of Christ on them and to turn their lives into experiences of joy, of wholeness and integrity. The joy of Jesus, the joy of Christmas can only be ours to the extent that we work with Jesus to bring that joy into the lives of others too. — by The Living Space
May we all experience joy in everything we do this week. ^_^
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