J-O-Y

Wait for it! Wait for it! We are at the midway point of the Advent season! We have been awaiting the coming of our Savior --- not only the 2022th Anniversary of his birth —- but also when he comes again in glory!

I hope you’ve spent the past two weeks preparing well; there isn’t much time left. Please keep in your prayers our sick and dying parishioners. I’ve been visiting many of them the past few weeks, and some have just a short time left before they’ll see Him face-to-face.

This Sunday we light the rose candle on our Advent wreath. There was a time in the world when the color of something would tell you what’s going on. For instance, the color of the other Advent candles is violet, that was the color of royalty, and most people refer to it as “Royal Purple.” The color rose is a joyful color – like the joy of seeing roses blooming in Summer. Did you know that Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas, Patroness of our own Diocese, led Saint Juan Diego to find roses blooming even in December! We celebrate her feast on December 12!

We use this joyful color of rose today on our Advent wreath and vestments to show our joy that this season of waiting for the Lord is half over. We can see the light at the end of the tunnel when we will soon celebrate Christmas. Even in the midst of short days, long nights, and sickness and death --- we can rejoice --- the Lord is near.

Since rose is the color of joy, I want to share with you a way to bring true joy into your life. All you have to remember is how to spell the word J-O-Y and what each letter stands for, and the order of the letters.

J stands for Jesus, and just as J is the first letter of JOY so Jesus must always be first in our lives.

O stands for Others, and just as O is the second letter of JOY we should always think of others second in our lives.

The Y stands for You, and just as Y is the last letter of JOY we should always think of ourselves last.

Therefore, to bring true joy into your life, always think of Jesus first, others second, and yourself last.

And one last thing. . . For a very joyful night, don’t forget to join us this Friday, December 16 at 7 PM for our annual Lessons and Carols. Our wonderful choir has been practicing for weeks and they are ready to bring you tidings of great joy!

Rev. Mark Zacker

Pastor