Second Week of Advent

First Reading of the Mass for the Second Sunday of Advent

Baruch 5:1-9 

Jerusalem, take off your robe of mourning and misery;
put on the splendor of glory from God forever:
wrapped in the cloak of justice from God,
bear on your head the mitre
that displays the glory of the eternal name.
For God will show all the earth your splendor:
you will be named by God forever
the peace of justice, the glory of God’s worship.

Up, Jerusalem! stand upon the heights;
look to the east and see your children
gathered from the east and the west
at the word of the Holy One,
rejoicing that they are remembered by God.
Led away on foot by their enemies they left you:
but God will bring them back to you
borne aloft in glory as on royal thrones.
For God has commanded
that every lofty mountain be made low,
and that the age-old depths and gorges
be filled to level ground,
that Israel may advance secure in the glory of God.
The forests and every fragrant kind of tree
have overshadowed Israel at God’s command;
for God is leading Israel in joy
by the light of his glory,
with his mercy and justice for company.

Joy to the world. The savior comes.

This reading from the Old Testament is a beautiful description of how exactly we should feel about our God and our thankfulness for what he has done for us. We should all be singing: "Joyful! Joyful! We adore thee!"

Our God has made us glad indeed.

He has clothed us in splendor and has taken away our mourning garments by sending us His son to walk among us. To die for us. To teach us how to walk in love and righteousness. To carry our sins on His back and consent to be nailed with them to the cross.

That journey began, not on the Via Dolorosa, but in a stable, in the humble little town of Bethlehem Ephrata. Where God came down and touched the earth with Love. Where the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.

Is this not what we mean when we refer to "Joy" at Christmastime?

If not, it ought to be.

I don't think we can stress it enough. Jesus is the reason for the season.

Not Nintendo, Wii or Playstations. Not new computers, jewelry or iPods.

Jesus.

Jesus = Joy.

It's that simple.

May you experience the Joy of Jesus this Christmas season.


My Prayer for the Second Week of Advent:

Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, ever faithful to your promises and ever close to your Church: the earth rejoices in hope of the Savior's coming and looks forward with longing to his return at the end of time. Prepare our hearts and remove the sadness that hinders us from feeling the joy and hope which his presence will bestow, for he is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.