The reason for our joy

Christmas is almost upon us. Last Sunday we lighted the pink advent candle, symbolizing the expectant joy that awaits us next week.

Fr. Gerard, my parish priest, shared with us that in the Latin text of today’s gospel, the word joy is translated as “Gaudete”, which means profound spiritual happiness and fulfillment.

This is no cheap hollow joy the gospel speaks about, no transient satisfaction wrapped in poor tinsel, but the real, deep, abiding joy that comes from possessing God and being possessed by Him. It is the joy of lovers so intently united to each other that their joy transcends all pains and sufferings.

It is this joy, this “Gaudete Sunday” that we celebrated a few days ago! Midway through the season of advent, the purple candles of solemnity we’ve been lighting give way to the pink candle of joy. And flame-by-flame, day-by-day, we begin to feel the growing excitement of welcoming the God-Man.

But the truth is, how many of us are dead to this great feast, having seen it all, having heard it all, having celebrated one too many midnight masses with open yawns?

Every year, the malls swallow and regurgitate crowds of shoppers battling for a bargain, pubs fill with revelers drunk on the lights of the season and couples brave the crush of human traffic just to purchase the joy of that perfect but elusive gift.

The question is; can true joy ever be bought?

If we do not recall the real joy of our celebrations, we shall spend the rest of our days running around in circles, where the déjà vu of our failures to find peace only reminds us of how often we miss the mark. So before we completely forget, let’s listen once again to the angels in Luke’s gospel.

“I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people. Today in the town of David a saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” – Lk 2:10-11

“A great joy for all people – a saviour born to us – Christ the Lord.” This three-part revelation is the secret to our happiness. This is the real “gaudete” of our lives.

More than any king who has ever renounced power, wealth and status for the woman he loves, Jesus has left heaven itself to be with us. If that isn’t the greatest romance ever, I don’t know what is.

Christ our Lord doesn’t just want to give us gifts, he wants to give us himself. And in giving us himself, Christ the king doesn’t merely give us what he owns, but all that he is.

He renders himself so completely ours that from henceforth, we shall no longer be poor, having already possessed the Son of God for our inheritance and joy. This truly is our greatest treasure, and “where your treasure is, there will your hearts be also”.

Common to all our human experiences is the tragedy of suffering in our lives, but think about where we draw our greatest comfort and strength from during such times. Surely it’s not from the endless advice, solutions and answers people try to give, but in those who simply held our hands, cried with us and silently shared our pain.

In the same way God doesn’t give explanations, he gives himself. He is the answer to our questions. Remember Mary and Martha. When they collapsed in tears before the Lord and wondered why their brother Lazarus had to die, Jesus didn’t answer them with lofty theories or deep explanations. Instead he cried with them and shared their sorrow, and in a powerful way, his loving presence and solidarity with their pain gave them hope and courage.

The only real answer to life's many challenges is Christ himself. He is the only authentic meaning and solution to all our problems; not what he does or gives, but he himself.

This is the mystery and joy of the incarnation; that God would leave his throne in heaven to be with us in order to comfort us, share our pain, embrace our crosses and die for us, so that strengthened by his great love, we may live a life undefeated by suffering and pain.

This is our great hope, our immense reason for joy. Every person in this world was born to live, but one person in history was born to die, so that we who are dead in sin may live the supernatural life.

At Christmas we celebrate this greatest of gifts – Christ our Lord and his supreme love for us. With many busy inns during this time of the year, I hope that your hearts will spare a manger to warm and shelter our God this Christmas.

My dear friends, have a blessed and holy feast. And God love you.