THE JOY OF ADVENT

SERMON PREACHED BY FR. TONY NOBLE ON DECEMBER 14^th, 2008

1Thessalonians 5: 16 "Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances."

The third Sunday of Advent has this wonderful theme of joy. The words "Joy" and "Rejoice" permeate the readings and the hymns, and we have flowers and the Rose colour vestments as a joyful break in this season of preparation that we call Advent. But Advent is not the same as Lent. It is still a penitential season, but not nearly as rigorous - none of us have made promises about prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, and we've certainly not had extra services to entertain you. That would interfere with shopping of course! But this is a penitential season, and also a season of joyful anticipation.

However, the joy is not so obvious. On the first Sunday of Advent we had warnings and prophecies about the second coming and the Day of Judgment - when creation and history will come to an end. Last Sunday and today, we reflect on John Baptist, with his message "Repent" and confess - hardly a joyful cry! Thankfully next Sunday will be about the Blessed Virgin Mary - a much more happier and joyous theme for our Advent celebrations.

In Advent the joy is muted, but today it is there.

"Be glad and rejoice for ever" says God, in Isaiah 65 - "I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people". Then the Prophet Isaiah paints a picture of happy days for the people, finishing with this wonderful image: "The wolf and the lamb shall feed together".

"Rejoice always" says Saint Paul in his first letter to the Thessalonians. In fact the words "Rejoice" and "Joy" are common in many of his Epistles - and this is remarkable because the Epistles were usually written in circumstances of difficulties or hardship for Saint Paul.

It is not like the joy of laughter - like when we are having fun. Nor is it the joy of the heart - like when we are in love with someone. Nor is it the joy of exhilaration - like when our team wins a game.Something not common with the Chargers this season, unfortunately!

Saint Paul's "Rejoice" is different. It is like the Advent "Joy" - it is tempered and muted. Many of his Epistles were written from prison like Philippians - which has numerous references to "Joy". In the case of 1 Thessalonians, Saint Paul had been driven out of the city of Thessalonika, not long after he had founded and established this fledging Church.

Despite being hounded across Greece and false accusations made against him, Saint Paul still writes with joy to the Thessalonians - with joy in his heart and in his writing. His joy comes from their faith - despite what they had endured - and their loyalty to him and what they had been taught. And so they make him joyful despite all the hurdles.

In actual fact this particular passage in our Epistle today is quite relevant to the Advent season. Because what Saint Paul writes follows immediately on from his teaching about the second coming, and what will happen to Christians when Christ does return. So you see joy is very relevant to our season.

"Joy" is also part of the story of John Baptist, though it may not seem like it. When we look at him - he is a strange, almost terrifying figure, with words of judgment, confession, and repentance. And yet you cannot escape joy as part of John Baptists' story.

In John 3, John Baptist is asked about Jesus and what his status is. He then likens Christ to a Bridegroom and himself to the friend - what we call the best-man. In verse 29 he says this: "The friend of the Bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice; therefore this joy of mine is now full".

Despite his sober message of repent, John Baptist is joyful and rejoices in the coming of Christ. We know this because in Luke 1:44 it says that before John was born he leaped for joy in his mother's womb - when Mary came to visit Elizabeth with her pregnant child. So even before he was born, John Baptist knew about joy in Christ.

In today's Gospel, we have a description of another conversation when they asked who John was. He was quite definite. "I am not the Christ", he said. Later, after Jesus was baptised, they questioned him again: "Why are you baptizing if you are not the Christ?".

John's reply points to Jesus: "Among you stands one….the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie". And no doubt, as he said these words his heart was full of joy. In verse 23 he makes plain in who he is: "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness".

John Baptist was a voice.

In the context of the first chapter of the Gospel of Saint John, this is a very profound theological statement - not just an indication that he is to preach. For you know that Saint John's Gospel begins with a wonderful description of Jesus as the Word of God - who always existed, and in the fullness of time became man.

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God".

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us".

Saint John begins his Gospel describing Jesus as the Word, and then John Baptist says he is the voice. What an interesting relationship - voice and word. Two things almost the same, but quite different - and all this just in the first chapter.

John was the voice to prepare the people for the Word. John came, in the words of Isaiah, to "Make straight the way of the Lord". He came to straighten the people out.

Even though his message was serious and urgent, it was underpinned by joy. His message may have been "Repent" rather than "Rejoice" - but we remember Jesus' words in the parable of the lost sheep: "There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over the 99 righteous persons who need no repentance".

We repent - God rejoices. Repentance always leads to rejoicing!

With just two weeks of Advent left, let us keep in mind Saint Paul's words to the Thessalonians today: "Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstance".