Isaiah 35:1-10, Matthew 11:2-11
The Third Sunday in Advent, often called Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday, is perhaps one of the most paradoxical Sundays in the liturgical calendar. Here we are in the middle of Advent, the days growing longer and darker, the tension of the already-and-not-yet coming of Christ at the forefront of our worship, and then—Rejoice! Light the pink candle; let the musicians take charge; let’s sing and be glad! It’s jarring, isn’t it? But it’s also fitting. We need joy as a companion on our journey. Perhaps we need it more than ever when darkness feels close at hand, literally or metaphorically. We can learn a lot from darkness. We need it, but we also need the light. We need the balance of sadness and joy, grief and rejoicing. We need to know that even when we can’t find joy in our own hearts, we can somehow find it in community together.