Throne Trip Tuesday - Third Sunday of Advent

Sunday was the Third Sunday of Advent. In Christian tradition, this Sunday is called “Gaudete Sunday.” Gaudete means joy in Latin. We must all be glad and joyful as we await the coming of Christ into the world. He will come to bring us peace and contentment. He will come to restore all things unto him.

With Sunday’s celebration, we are also beginning the second phase of our Advent season which is to prepare ourselves for the commemoration of the coming of the Lord on Christmas Day. The pink candle will be lighted on Sunday symbolizing our eagerness to celebrate Christ’s coming on Christmas and our anticipation for his Second Coming.


The readings in Sunday’s liturgy give us reasons to rejoice. The First Reading taken from the book of the prophet Isaiah (35:1-6,10) foretells the coming of Christ. Isaiah says that with the coming of the Redeemer, “the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.” (Is. 35: 5-6¬). This will give the people reason to rejoice for at last, the Savior has come to their aid – he has come to rescue them from what enslaves them.


The Second Reading urges us to be patient in waiting for the Lord. (James 5:7-10) There will be sufferings and trials on the way, but when the Lord comes, all of these will end and our sufferings will turn to joy for he comes to comfort us. The Gospel Reading presents to us another important figure as we prepare ourselves for the coming of Jesus. He is no less than John the Baptist. In the Gospel, John the Baptist tells us that the one who will come is greater than he. He is Jesus, the one who will bring sight to the blind, recovery to the ill, and good news to the poor. (Matthew 11:2-11)



As we continue our preparations for Christ’s coming, let us not forget that the coming of Christ is good news for us Christians. Therefore, even as we repent from our sins, we must be joyful and glad for the Lord has come and will come again to bring forth goodness, justice, and love. Rejoice!

Peace and Joy,
Susan

1 Chronicles 16:10 (NKJV)  ¹⁰ Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD!

Second Advent Sunday

Today, the Second Sunday of Advent, we light the second candle in our Advent Wreath symbolizing our eager anticipation for Christ’s coming into our lives. Christ is the light of the world and He lightens our path so that we may walk in the path of righteousness and peace. The candle too symbolizes watchfulness – an attitude all Christians must possess.
This Advent Season is indeed an opportune time for us to be reminded of the reality that Christ will come again and that He will judge us at the appointed time. However, fear must not rule our minds and hearts as we await His coming. We must look forward to His coming with joyful and renewed hearts. The readings today tell us how all of us can prepare joyfully and with hearts renewed.

In our First Reading, Isaiah the prophet tells us that the One who is to come is a great leader of God’s people. He is of royal descent and One who possesses the Spirit of God. He is coming to the world to fulfill a great mission: To bring justice to the poor, to punish the wicked, and to establish security (cf. Isaiah 11:1-10). The Second Reading, taken from the letter of the apostle Paul to the Romans (15:4-9) reminds us that as followers of Jesus the Christ, we must live in unity and harmony. Paul reminds the Church in Rome and all of us today that we should look up to Jesus as our model of one who desires unity and inclusivity. In the Gospel, Matthew narrates Jesus’ call to repentance: The “Kingdom of God is at hand! Repent!” Repentance means doing what is right and good and shunning what is evil.

In this holy season of Advent, the Church tells us that we must prepare for the coming of Christ because His coming will bring justice, love, and peace. The best way to prepare for His coming is to individually and collectively repent and resolve to always do the will of God for us. Sin causes disunity. Repentance heals relationships.

May the second candle of Advent that we light today be a reminder of our Christian duty to prepare for the coming of the Kingdom of God.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Philippians 1:9 (NKJV) And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,

First Sunday of Advent

Today is the first day of Advent. But what does that mean? Once site described it as this:

THE First Sunday of Advent marks the beginning of a new liturgical year. The color of liturgical vestments is purple symbolizing the character of the season which is one of repentance and conversion. But unlike the season of Lent, Advent season emphasizes that we must repent for the coming of the Lord is near. The season of Advent is an opportune moment for us to prepare for the coming of Christ on Christmas and for His second coming. We must all eagerly anticipate this coming by making our hearts renewed and filled with love and goodness.


The readings in today’s liturgy urge all followers of Christ to be vigilant for we know not the time of the coming of the Lord. We must all be watchful so that when Christ comes, we will be ready to meet Him.

The First Reading reminds us that we can prepare for this by always being attentive to the word of God. By listening to God’s word, our hearts will be likened to His – a heart that has compassion and love for all. God’s heart knows no bounds and He welcomes all. We must be inclusive in our relationships and learn to acknowledge the goodness that is in other people’s hearts.


The Second Reading talks about giving up vices and exercising self-control as a way of preparing oneself for Christ’s coming. It means that if we are with Christ, we will do what is right and good and reject what is evil and untrue. It also means that we must live in the spirit of God and not in human desires. The Gospel’s message is very clear: Know what will happen when Christ comes and not focus on what the world dictates.

As we begin the season of Advent, let us focus on our internal preparations for Christmas and for the coming again of Jesus. Let us intensify our spiritual preparations lest we forget that the reason for the season is the Mystery of Incarnation of God’s Son. Let us not be distracted by the outward preparations for Christmas. May this Advent Season indeed make us ready to meet Jesus, our Lord.

Thank you for joining me in celebrating this Advent Season?

Peace and Joy,
Susan

1 Chronicles 16:8 (NIV©2010) Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations what he has done.

Welcome to Our World

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Luke 2:6-7 (NKJV) ⁶ So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. ⁷ And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Celebrating Christmas

Hark the Herald Angels Sing!

“Hark the herald angels sing” Christmas Carol was written by Charles Wesley, brother of John Wesley founder of the Methodist church, in 1739. A sombre man, he requested slow and solemn music for his lyrics and thus “Hark the herald angels sing” was sung to a different tune initially. Over a hundred years later Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) composed a cantata in 1840 to commemorate Johann Gutenberg's invention of the printing press. English musician William H. Cummings adapted Mendelssohn’s music to fit the lyrics of “Hark the herald angels sing” already written by Wesley.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

1 Chronicles 16:8 (NIV) Give thanks to the LORD, call on His name; make known among the nations what He has done.

In the Beginning

Today is the beginning of Advent. The beginning of the Christmas season. The beginning of Hope. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1) If we place our hope in the things of this world, we will be disappointed; but if we place our hope in the Lord Jesus, we will have eternal life, joy unspeakable, peace, and contentment. Does this mean there will be no sorrow or pain or disappointment? I wish! But as long as we are in this world we will have these things and more. So what difference will it make when you put your trust in Jesus? He promises to be with you every step of the way. He was with me during my darkest hours of battling cancer and He will be there with you. He promises to never leave us.

So today, This Day, trust Him, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths. Begin this Christmas with a new hope.

Peace and Joy,

Susan