Advent Devotion: Joy and Grief
The third Sunday of the season of Advent is traditionally known as Gaudete Sunday, for the Latin for “rejoice.” In the darkest weeks of the year (in the northern hemisphere, at least), it can sometimes feel odd to be asked to “rejoice,” particularly in the still-waiting time prior to the big holiday of Christmas. Near the solstice, you may be able to find a “Blue Christmas” or “Longest Night” worship service honoring the both/and of approaching such a traditionally joyful season while experiencing grief, loneliness, or depression.
If this tension, this both/and, speaks to you in this season, I commend to you the song “There’s Still My Joy” from the Indigo Girls’ holiday album Holly Happy Days, which has this chorus:
One tiny child can change the world
One shining light can show the way
Through all my tears, for what I’ve lost
There’s still my joy
There’s still my joy for Christmas day