This Sunday is the Third Week of Traditional Advent…the candle we light is the candle of Joy, or the Gaudete Candle (pink in some Advent Wreaths). Gaudete is Latin for REJOICE!
How are you finding Joy in these days of December? How are you experiencing Joy? Do you need to make a date with yourself to find some joy in the busyness of the holidays?
What things might help you REJOICE the week?
To add some joy and help my ability to rejoice, I am headed out to hear Handel’s Messiah. It’s become a family tradition but we haven’t been to hear it live since the pandemic started. I am looking forward to some rejoicing as I listen! Here’s a version for you to listen too.
The Old Testament Reading for this Sunday is from ISAIAH 35…Read this out loud and you might read it again in other translations …or just read this one three times and allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you. Listen and Notice what God’s word is for you today….What do you notice about rejoicing and joy?
The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Like the crocus, 2 it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God.
3 Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way;
4 say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come, he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution he will come to save you.”
5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
6 Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert.
7 The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs.
In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.
8 And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness;
it will be for those who walk on that Way.The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it.
9 No lion will be there,
nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there.But only the redeemed will walk there,
and those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing;
everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them,
and sorrow and sighing will flee away.
What does the Holy Spirit highlight for you today?
Which image in Isaiah speaks to you ? Why?
WATCH Isaiah 35 in video
Are you feeling like a dry desert or an abundant flower bed right now? Or somewhere in between? Talk to Jesus about where you are.
In the gospel passage for this Sunday, Matthew . John the Baptist wants to know if Jesus is really the ONE they all have been waiting on and watching for…
“When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?’ Jesus answered them, ‘Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offence at me.’ Matthew 11:2-11
Jesus is saying who he is …EMMANUEL …God with us! Just as Isaiah had promised!
5-7 Blind eyes will be opened, deaf ears unstopped,
Lame men and women will leap like deer, the voiceless break into song
Who in your life needs prayer for healing? For physical healing, emotional healing, those feeling unheard or unloved. Take time to pray for these friends.
Our world is filled with brokenness and injustice. Take time to pray for the things that are on your heart…the areas where the voiceless need a song and where blind eyes need to be opened.
USE THE ART to help you engage this week’s scripture passages for the Third Sunday of Advent. Which piece of ART speaks to you?
Along with ART, Music can help us engage the story. Listen to the Messiah above or these songs.
And this song by Bebo Norman capture our theme of RADICAL ADVENT….” The Rebel Jesus”
We are midway in the Advent Season, and if you are like me, the days of December are flying by much too quickly. The TO DO list seems to get longer, not shorter. And our rainy, warm days are not bringing much joy, if I am honest. So I am grateful today for the reminder from Isaiah 35:1-4.
The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God.
Strengthen the feeble hands, steady the knees that give way; say to those with fearful hearts,
“Be strong, do not fear;
HOMEWORK: Find some flowers at the store. Sadly it’s not the season for crocus here but maybe find a bulb like paper whites or tulips to watch grow. Use these as a reminder that the wilderness is bursting into bloom! THE GLORY OF THE LORD is at Hand!
Just like the Shepherds, watch for those Surprises and Godly interruptions along the way! Watch for things that make you smile.
Take time to find some JOY this week. And know that we do not have to live in the land of fear….because Jesus truly is EMMANUEL …GOD with US!
Blooming Heart
The other thing bringing me joy is my new website! findingyourthinplace.com
©lillylewin and freerangeworship.com
It’s time to celebrate Advent and Christmas. Let Godspace be a resource to you as you prepare! We have many devotionals, gifts, prayer cards, free downloads, retreats – and more – to offer. Check it out in our shop under the category of Advent!