Advent 3 Yr C
Gaudete/Joy

Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

From sermon4kids.com: “Sharing with others — that’s the spirit — the spirit of Christmas. Let’s all show the true spirit of Christmas this year!”

Scripture: December 16, 2018—Zephaniah 3:14-20; Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:7-18; and Canticle 9.

Collect: Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Reflection: Imagine that you are in the crowd listening to John the Baptizer. You hear people in the crowd asking him, “What should we do to prepare?” How might John instruct you, or your church, to prepare for the coming of God’s reign? Sometimes wealthy people worry that God or the church is requiring them to be poor. What is the difference between being poor and being fair? How do you feel about sharing?

Eye Candy: “With spirit and fire” by Jan Richardson; “Saint John the Baptist preaching” by Luca Giordano; “Gaudete Sunday“, ceiling painting.

Ear Worm: “I’ve got the joy down in my heart“, everybody sing along (you know you want to!); “Gaudete” by The Kings Singers (happy a capella piece in Latin); “Gaudete“, exciting a capella piece by women’s voices

Brain Food: “Meditations” by Fr. Gabriel (scroll down); “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy“, a reflection by Jenny Williams;

Reflection on Advent 3: Candle of Joy

Advent is about joy. But our times seem little suited for rejoicing. Our culture irritates and entertains, intoxicates and numbs, but rejoicing seems like a foreign idea. You can’t do it on cue. Joy can’t be bought and sold. You can’t plan for it or train for it. It doesn’t fit into a well-ordered life, and it’s not FDA approved. Joy comes only when least expected. We rejoice only when life has been turned on its ear; when—whatever we feared, whatever we steeled ourselves against–some gift of God has presented itself instead. When we rein in our loves to protect ourselves from pain, when we curtain our hopes from fear of disappointment, when we equip ourselves with cynicism to avoid looking foolish, we do so at the expense of joy. As freedom can only be tasted in all its sweetness by those who know the feel of chains, so joy sings with its most full-throated glory only in spirits enlarged by the weight of despair and softened by the brine of tears. Pleasures floats on the surface of life. Happiness flits across a moment or an hour. But joy springs from the depths.

downloaded from https://lifeinliturgy.wordpress.com/2014/11/18/advent-candle-lighting-rituals/ on 12/14/18.

Parables: “Gladiator” (2000), “Proximo is John the Baptist character”; “The Matrix” (1999), does Morpheus see Neo as savior; “Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace” (1999), does Qui Gon Jinn recognize Anakin

Study guide; group activities;.

: all ages: coloring page; activity page;

young elementary: activity; bulletin games;

older elementary: activity; bulletin games.

Wrapping presents for Giving Tree children and rehearsing Christmas Eve program. See you at 9 am.