The wilderness and dry land shall be glad, the desert shall
rejoice...like the crocus it will blossom abundantly...He will come and save
you...A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way...the
redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return...and
sorrow and sighing shall flee away. [Isaiah 35: 1-2a, 4b, 8a, 9b, 10a-b]
My
soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant...he has remembered his
promise of mercy... [Luke 1:46-48, 54b]
Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the
Lord. Strengthen your hearts for the coming of the Lord is near. [James 5:7a, 8b]
Jesus began to speak to the crowds about
John: "What did you go out to the wilderness to see? A prophet?...Yes, I
tell you...This is the one about whom it is written, 'See, I am sending my
messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you'...among those
born of women no one has risen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in
the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." [Matthew 11:7a, 9, 11]
Oh, come,
our Wisdom from on high,
Who ordered all things mightily,
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!
We light the 3rd candle
in the Advent Wreath as our anticipation and expectation of the birth of Jesus
accelerates. However, there is a notable change. This week, instead of a
penitential purple candle or a blue candle of hope, some Traditions use a rose
colored (or pink) candle and perhaps even rose vestments and altar hangings.
Why change color in the middle of the season? Advent has traditionally been a
penitential season, as is Lent, with somber readings and admonishments to fast
and pray to be ready and worthy for Christ's coming. Yet, historically, the
Latin name for this Sunday is Gaudete (gow-day-tay), which translates as
“REJOICE!” It comes from an Introit (opening) of the Liturgy. We
hear the Joy, the Rejoicing, the Hope and the excitement in the readings. We’ll
be ransomed from sorrow and sadness, lifted up, healed, beloved, and blessed.
When our God in Christ comes, we who are redeemed will walk on the Holy
Way, safe from lions and ravenous beasts.
Within the aspect of a strictly
penitential season, all the candles, hangings, and vestments were Lenten
purple, and but on this Sunday, the rose color was a symbol of a respite in the
midst of serious repentance. (There is, apparently, no truth to the rumor
that the rose candle indicates that Mary was secretly hoping for a girl.)
With the Revised Common
Lectionary and newer scholarship, there has been more of an emphasis placed on
remembering the Joy that is to come – which isn’t to say we
should not also be prayerful or penitent as we wait.
So let us, in the midst of the
solemn and sedate, stop, breathe, and experience JOY for the coming
Nativity. Let our souls proclaim the greatness of the Lord and
our spirits rejoice. We still have to be patient, there’s still
some time before THE DAY, but we can smile as we wait to walk on that Heavenly
Holy Highway with singing and everlasting joy upon our heads.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ LORD of the Holy Way, grant us strength of heart and prayerful
patience as we discover that the voice in the wilderness is our own. Keep
us without fear as we await the everlasting joy of Christ’s coming.
O God our Savior
RESPONSE: Look with favor upon us
~ LORD of the Holy Way, as You scatter the proud in their
conceit, guide the hearts of all who govern on this Earth, in this Nation, and
in our Community, that they may rule with equity, mercy, and justice. We pray
especially for: add your own petitions
O God our Savior
Look
with favor upon us
~ LORD of the Holy Way, lift
up all who suffer with chronic illness, addiction, or severe life circumstance,
and energize all who give them care. We now join our voices to pray aloud for
those in need… add your own petitions
O God our Savior
Look
with favor upon us
~ LORD of the Holy Way, may
the sorrow and sighs flee away from those who mourn, as Heaven is ablaze in joy
and gladness for the arrival of all we hold so dear. We pray especially
for… add your own petitions
O God our Savior
Look
with favor upon us
~ LORD of the Holy Way, we pause in
this moment to offer You our other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions,
petitions, and memorials, aloud or silently… add your own petitions
O God our Savior
Look
with favor upon us
~ LORD of the Holy Way,
refresh and invigorate those who endeavor in Your Church to prepare us for the
coming of Christ through Your Word and Sacraments. We pray especially
for: add your own petitions
O God our Savior
Look
with favor upon us
The Celebrant adds: God of Glory and Majesty, as we
await the Messiah who ransoms us from sin and death, fill us with rejoicing
that our souls may also magnify and proclaim the greatness of Your love. We ask
through Jesus, our Redeemer Christ, and the Holy Spirit of Truth, who together
with You are One God, forever and ever. Amen.
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