Rejoice in the Lord Always… I say it again: Rejoice!

At various times in history, the Season of Advent took on a more penitential character. While not quiet like Lent, there were more fasting regulations and the adoption of purple vestments for Advent Masses. Like Lent, the Church realized that even the short Advent Season could be a bit much for some people and accented the Third Sunday of Advent as a day of rejoicing. Rose colored vestments were introduced, flowers could be placed on the altar, and instruments (banned for the rest of Advent) could be used to accompany the singing. The Entrance Antiphon (Introit) of the Mass was and remains the quotation from Saint Paul’s Letter to the Philippians (4:4-5): “Rejoice in the Lord always; I say it again: rejoice!” (In Latin, Gaudete in Domino semper; aetiam digo gaude.)

As you make your way from store to store in these Advent days, stop and look at the expression on the faces of those around you. This is supposed to be the most wonderful time of the year. Do most people look like they’re having a wonderful time? Perhaps a store is not the most conducive place to be joy-filled, but if our excuse for being glum or angry is retail, then what’s our excuse for the rest of the year?

Read the stories of the saint, especially the martyrs, and you will see again and again the amazing joy of those who suffered in terrible ways. Remaining joyful in spite of or because of our circumstances is a demonstration of our faith in God’s goodness.
Certainly joy at all the things we have, experience, or the love that we share is a sign of our thankfulness to God. Joy in times of difficulty takes a special fortitude. People in difficulty are often the focus of attention. Their reaction is all the more important since it serves as an example to the rest of us.

Christians have the most to be joyful about – not just during Advent and Christmas, but all year round. We know the salvation that Jesus brings. We hear His Word speaking directly to us through the Scriptures. We have our sins forgiven in the Sacrament of Penance. We receive Jesus’ own Body and Blood in Holy Communion. We have Jesus’ promise to remain with the Church – and with each one of us – until the end of time.
How could all that not fill our hearts with joy?

Certainly there are things that sadden or distress us – that’s only human. Some people even find the overstimulation of this time of year overwhelming. We really betray ourselves when we buy into all the hype leading up to Christmas and then tear it all down sometime Christmas night. We don’t know how to be joyful, serene and relaxed once Christmas Day comes. We’re so anxious to get back to our hectic lives that we run from the manger in order to get back to the rat race. How sad. We cheat ourselves and those around when we don’t spend that reflective time with the Christ Child and discover as only a Child can teach us, what real joy is all about. That lesson will last the whole year through.