Third Sunday of Advent

"Season of Joy"

Matthew 2:7-12

Advent is a season of waiting, expecting, and hoping. "Advent" is a Latin word and means "coming." For hundreds of years, Christians have used an Advent wreath to remember and celebrate the first coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Advent should also inspire hope as we wait for the Second Coming of Christ.

We are calling the Third Candle “The Candle of Joy” and it indicates that the only lasting joy to be found in life is through Christ. All other joy is fleeting and does not last. The prophet Isaiah wrote that “…and the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.” (Isaiah 35:10) Later in the Gospel of Luke, we see his disciples proclaiming: “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Luke 19:38)

We light this Candle of Joy, which is a different color, knowing that if we confess Christ to be our savior and we have received Him as our Lord, then we can enjoy the same promise given to the thief next to Him on the cross. If we were to die today Christ declares: “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43) The shift in color of the candle should cause a rise in joyous anticipation of the reign of the Anointed One, the Messiah, Jesus Christ who has brought salvation to our hearts and lives.

Matthew 2:7-12
Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.