Reaching out from Grand Lake Community Chapel
Wednesday, December 6, 2023
Greetings in Christ!
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it! Let us rejoice in this crisp late autumn day and let us be glad that we have twelve days left to take advantage of the gift of Advent to finalize our preparations for the arrival of the Christ Child! Some among us are rejoicing at the lack of snow and are glad for clear roads, sidewalks, and driveways; some among us are sad about the lack of snow, because wintertime toys are sitting idle. Rest assured that the snow will come, and that those who are sad today will be rejoicing when the ground is covered with a pristine white blanket.
In the meantime, we are reminded that this coming Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent, is “joy” Sunday; we will light the pink candle on the Advent wreath, and we will be called to rejoice at the approaching birth of Jesus. Also known as Gaudete Sunday from the Latin word for rejoice, this day invites us to celebrate with joy all the gifts and blessings we enjoy as children of the Most High God, and to eagerly anticipate the joy of Christmas Day. But how truly joyful can we be when the world around us seems bound and determined to tear itself apart? How are we to rejoice when we hear of wars, crime, devastating storms and earthquakes, and economic distress? We can rejoice because the promise made to us is that the days are surely coming when all things will be made right; truth and justice will prevail, light will overcome the darkness, and love will rule the Earth. We aren’t told when these things will come to pass, but we know that they are coming; and we know that the process of fixing the challenges of the world will get an enormous boost on Christmas Day. We have much to be thankful for, and therefore many reasons to rejoice. We wish you all the very best as our Advent observations continue.
Blessings to you during this holy season.
Karen and Greg
Home: (989) 474-9116, Cell: (734) 502-5969
revgregrc@yahoo.com / revgreggl@yahoo.com
revkarenrc@yahoo.com / revkarengl@yahoo.com
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13
Grand Lake Community Chapel 