The Third Sunday of Advent

Year C

The True Joy of Christmas

Readings: Zephaniah 3:14-20; Canticle 3; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18

I hear from people that they are not really ready for Christmas this year. When I ask why, I hear about the weather. “It is too spring like, too warm. The grass is still green and growing. I need some snow to put me in the mood for Christmas.” And I can resonate somewhat to that.

Personally, I am aware that there are other things that make me feel unready for Christmas. For example, a judge has declared that the Christmas tree that stands in the court house in Toronto should be moved into a corner so that it will not offend people. And I find myself being very offended by her actions. Knowing the reality that Christ is no longer at the heart of most celebrations of Christmas, it seems silly of her to make a fuss about a Christmas tree. Yet she did, and it is just one more blow against our faith. It brings home to me how offended I feel that so many people want holidays and all of the festivities of Christmas, but do not want to acknowledge the reason for the celebration.

I am also unready when I consider the world in which we live. It is a world that seems oblivious to the fact that God-with-us, Emmanuel has lived amongst us. It is a world where violence reigns. It is a world where children die of hunger every day. It is a world where people die of AIDS. It is a world where war, racism and hatred flourish. I hear people blame God for these things, and I know that the answer lies in our own hearts. I know that any change in the world’s situation depends on our transformation.

And so I bring myself up short. “After all,” I say to myself, “what is the true joy of Christmas?” It is something that we all need to ask. How do we prepare for that Christmas, for that joyful coming, for Jesus’ coming into the world? How do we capture it? What transformation would it bring into our lives if we did?

The people of Israel often lost hope. They witnessed things going on in the world around them and experienced it as God’s judgement on the way they were living their lives. It did not always bring about a change in their behaviour, of course. But the prophets were there to remind them of their need to repent and to return to God. They were there also to bring hope. The words of Zephaniah speak to us across the ages. He speaks as a wise counsellor. He offers words of great hope. “Sing!” he tells them. “Shout! Rejoice and exult with all your heart!” He wants them to shout from the rooftops that God is with them. God is in their midst. They are not alone. They are in relationship with a God who loves them. There is hope.

John the Baptist has much the same message when you get past being called a “brood of vipers”. He knew that to bring about a change in the world required a change in the hearts of the people. He knew that for the world to become a better place, those to whom he was speaking needed to repent and change their ways. They needed a sense of integrity as they went about their daily work. They needed compassion for one another. They needed the will to fight against injustice. They needed to change their ways. They needed to be on fire for God. He knew that they needed to be transformed by God’s goodness, by God’s graciousness. It may not always have sounded like good news, but John knew that such transformation would bring about a sense of joy that would change the whole world.

Paul too knew that our richest resource is our trust in God, even in the midst of adversity. He had experienced great tragedy in his life, and yet was able to write to the Philippians reminding them of their need to be joyful people. “Rejoice in the Lord, always; again I will say, rejoice!” His circumstances did not change. What changed was his ability to rejoice, to praise God with all his heart. It gave him a sense of resilience, especially as he thought about how close Christ was to him in his daily walk with God. It strengthened his relationship with God.

“That is just fine for Paul,” I can hear you saying it. Life is far more complicated for us. How can Christians possibly rejoice with all the terrible things that are going on in our world? How can we rejoice when we hear daily in the news about our soldiers in Afghanistan being hurt and killed? How can we rejoice when we know that there are wars going on in our world? How can we rejoice when we hear so much on the news about global warming? The list goes on and one. And I tell you, that is exactly the time to rejoice.

Leo Buscaglia tells a story about a situation his family faced as he was growing up. His father’s business went bankrupt because his partner had absconded with the company’s funds. The night before the bankruptcy was declared, Leo’s mother prepared a “misery” banquet. She sold some jewellery and used the money to put on a lavish spread. Some of the family members scolded her. “This is not the time to be wasting money,” they argued. “This is exactly the time,” she told them. The time for joy is now when we need it the most, not next week.” Her courage rallied the family.

Much that goes on in our society has to do with how we view what is happening. We are the only ones that can change our outlook on life. Can we open ourselves to the same spirit that filled the early church? That has not changed. Indeed, it will not change. Remembering that little steps can bring about change can help us in our daily efforts to be joyful people. If we never take that first step, if we give in to a sense of hopelessness, then change will never happen.

We all know people who have a sense of resilience that seems to carry them through the most difficult times. Through tragedy and disappointment they keep their faith alive. On this planet will always be sorrows and anxieties. They are part of human existence. But by opening ourselves up to the spirit of God within us we will face them and our faith will carry us through.

What fills you with joy? Consider that question for a moment. What is going on in your life right now that gives you joy, that comes bubbling out whenever you think about it? Turn right now to your neighbour and share it. Can you feel that smile coming across your face? What are you thinking about? Are you anticipating the joy of your children or grandchildren on Christmas morning as they open gifts? Is it some personal achievement where you know that God has had a hand in it? Is it the anticipation of family and friends gathered in your home during the Christmas season? Is it the difference in the way people greet one another at this time of year? Is it some act of kindness that you received unexpectedly? Is it a card that came filled with news of a friend? Is it some recent success?

It is so important for us to be filled with joy that springs up in us. It is important because it fills us with hope. It reminds us that we are in relationship with a loving God. It reminds us that we are forgiven and accepted by God. It reminds us that God’s grace is at work in and through us. It reminds us that God is with us, that God renews us, that we are not alone. It reminds us that change begins with a change in us. We can change the whole world, one step at a time.

So let us celebrate our joy. Let us celebrate God’s great love for us. Let us prepare ourselves joyfully for Christ to be born in us. Amen.