Up in the tundra of the frozen north you guys are starting to get the look and feel of Christmas even during this Advent time of year. It’s cold here too, at least by Alabama standards but not like you and no snow here.
Today, of course, is a day when we think about joy in a special way. During Advent the joy is the approaching Christmas, or maybe it’s our remembrance of that day when God’s love for us was made manifest in a little baby. That baby was God Himself coming to offer us the chance to be saved.
As adults sometimes we don’t think much about joy. We have so many things on our mind there doesn’t seem to be room for joy. We can even hear that in the way we sing the Alleluia before hearing the Gospel at Mass. That Alleluia should be very joyful because we’re about to hear about our salvation. But, reserved as we are, with our minds preoccupied with other things, we muddle through it. If you’re a fan of the Bears, or the Cubs, or even the Cardinals, how joyful do you get when something really good happens with them? Pretty joyful I suspect. Well, let’s try to feel the genuine joy that comes from knowing God really loves us, sinful though we are, and has given Himself for us.
One thing that has brought me joy during Advent these last few years is the Hark! podcast from America Media. Each week during Advent they publish a new episode about a favorite Advent or Christmas hymn. You can find all of them here: https://www.americamagazine.org/hark-podcast/ They’re sorted from newest down to oldest.
Another similar thing that brings me joy is a series of reflections from the Jesuits about Advent and Christmas music. Each day a different person presents a reflection on some song that means something to them, and why. It’s called Waiting & Wassailing. You can look at them here: https://www.jesuits.org/advent-2025/
There are lots of places we might find joy in our faith, and in our lives in general. I hope today, and in the future, you’re able to connect with the joy in your life.
That’s it for now. Thanks for Reading.
I hope you have a joy filled week.
Peace, Bob
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