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| for nothing will be impossible for God |
You will have joy and gladness and many will rejoice at his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord.
Christians – and this Christian in particular – have a tendency to bleakness. Sometimes we forget to rejoice. Aware of our sins and seemingly defeated by them, we have a hard time making the necessary stretch of faith that will free us from anxiety. In fact, occasionally, we take a furtive pleasure in our dourness, saying, “Well at least I take my faith seriously!”
But, as Qoheleth says, “There is a time to weep and a time to laugh;” and the wise know the time. This final season of Advent, as we hear the O-antiphons preceding the proclamation of the gospel, and as we hear the infancy narratives of Matthew and Luke, is a time for rejoicing.
We can do no better than to read from the Gospel according to Saint Luke for his especially is the Gospel of Joy. There are hardly any shadows in its opening chapters. The only unfortunate note (which is often overplayed), is Jesus’ birth in a manger, “because there was no room for them in the inn.” But that made him easier to find when the shepherds came looking for him, and God wants above all to be available to us.
The angel gets it right when he tells the shepherds, “Do not be afraid for behold I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”
In a nutshell: Do not be afraid to rejoice! Nothing can go wrong; everything is in God’s hands; and God is still in charge. Why would anyone worry who has confidence in God? Who would not rejoice knowing God’s victory cannot be frustrated or delayed.
Inevitably we’re disappointed when our expectations don’t pan out. Our sadness in those moments only reminds us of who is God and who is not. And that realization expresses the very essence of human life; “I am not God; thank God!”
Do not be afraid to rejoice. In this holy season critics will still find reason to complain. As the little girl said, “Almost perfect, but not quite.” But we rejoice “in the sure and certain hope” that we will rise with him on the last day, and all will be well, all will be well, and all manner of things will be well.
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I love to write. This blog helps me to meditate on the Word of God, and I hope to make some contribution to our contemplations of God's Mighty Works.
Ordinarily, I write these reflections two or three weeks in advance of their publication. I do not intend to comment on current events.
I understand many people prefer gender-neutral references to "God." I don't disagree with them but find that language impersonal, unappealing and tasteless. When I refer to "God" I think of the One whom Jesus called "Abba" and "Father", and I would not attempt to improve on Jesus' language.
You're welcome to add a thought or raise a question.