Rejoice

Dear Friends,
The third Sunday in Advent is called Gaudete Sunday, from the Latin word for “Rejoice.” Gaudete in Domino semper is how one of the most popular Scriptures in Christianity begins in the Latin Vulgate, a 4th century translation that became the official translation of the Bible in the Catholic Church during the 16th century.

You may be more familiar with words from the New International Version.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4-7 (NIV)

When was the last time you felt like rejoicing? When was the last time you were overwhelmed with an emotion of great delight caused by something exceptionally moving or satisfying — not just happy, but joyful? If you will take time to read the following 28 Scriptures, you will find that joyfulness and rejoicing are most often initiated as a response to God’s goodness.
Old Testament
Deuteronomy 16:14
Psalm 68:3
Deuteronomy 28:47
Psalm 100:2
1 Samuel 18:6
Psalm 145:7
1 Kings 8:66
Proverbs 23:25
1 Chronicles 15:16
Ecclesiastes 9:7
2 Chronicles 7:10
Isaiah 24:8
2 Chronicles 20:27
Isaiah 24:11
2 Chronicles 30:23
Jeremiah 31:4
Nehemiah 12:27
Habakkuk 3:18
Job 39:13
Zechariah 8:19
Psalm 33:1
Zechariah 10:7
New Testament
Luke 15:5
Colossians 1:12
Luke 19:37
Hebrews 10:34
Romans 12:12
Hebrews 12:22

The model for rejoicing is found in Psalm 100.
Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
Worship the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful songs.
Know that the LORD is God.
It is he who made us, and we are his[a];
we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving
and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.

This Sunday, we will light the candle of Joy in our advent services. We will remember the shepherds and the promise of great joy announced by the angel of the Lord.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:8-11 (KJV)

With grateful hearts we will sing, “Joy to the world, the Lord has come.”

Blessings,
Your Friends in Christ