Rejoice Always

Third Sunday of Advent B
John 1:6-8, 19-28
Happiness is remembering that God is with us.

John answered them, "I baptize with water; but there is one among you whom you do not recognize, the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie" (Jn.1:26-27).

The third Sunday of Advent is called "Gaudate" which means, "rejoice". Today instead of lighting the purple candle we light the pink as it suggests a more rejoicing attitude. Christmas is the time when we are caught up in preparations for a joyful celebration. We plan for a meaningful family gathering. We buy gifts and we decorate our homes with vivid lights. We wish our Christmas to be happy. This is what we long for and what we hope for, "Sana masaya ako ngayong pasko (I wish to be happy this Christmas)".

However, for some people especially those who are experiencing difficulty of their lives, this may simply be wishful thinking. There are those who will celebrate their Christmas without the presence of loved ones who died this year. Others are sick with cancer or other terrible disease. Some have been laid off from their jobs. Some are experiencing unbearable depression. Some are heartbroken. We wish to be happy this Christmas and we say to ourselves, “I wish I had my loved ones with me.” “I wish I could buy the dress that I want.” “I wish I could give gifts to my friends.” “I wish I could go shopping.” “I wish the girl that I love would already say yes to me.”

Yet, what will make Christmas truly happy is to remember that God is with us in good times as well as in bad times. He is present with us whether we are happy or sad. Many people have forgotten this truth. They are preoccupied with the things that they think will make them happy, and they have forgotten that the true source of happiness is Christ Himself.

This is what John the Baptist is inviting us to see - the one among us whom we do not recognize. The one coming after him whose sandal strap he is not worthy to untie (John 1:26-27). John points Christ out to us and directs us to the Lord. Therefore, our focus should be on Jesus because He is the One that will make us Happy.

A man who ran out to meet a monk who was passing by in a village. “Give me the stone,” he cried. The monk said, “What stone are you talking about?” The man said, “Last night the Lord appeared to me in a dream saying that a monk will pass by and give me a stone that will make me rich. So give me the stone.” The monk reached to his pocket and took the biggest diamond in the world and gave it to the man. The man seized it and went running home. That night he was not able to sleep. The following morning he went back to the monk and returned the diamond saying, “Here is your diamond. I want the kind of wealth that enables you to throw this wealth away.”(De Mello).

If we want to find happiness this Christmas, we have to discover the greatest wealth God gave us, and that is Jesus His son. It is only in Jesus that we can “Rejoice always” (1 Thes.5:16).