Joy Inspite Of Dark Days

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
    which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
    they do not know what they stumble over.

Prov 4:18-19 NRSV

I stayed up a little later than usual last night. Consequently, I ended up sleeping in later than usual, as well. It does not seem to matter whether it is the Upper Peninsula cold or Florida warmth; these darker days of winter definitely affect my need for sleep. I woke up this morning thinking about joy probably because this coming Sunday is the "Sunday of Joy."  But, also during the darker days of Advent I could; most of us could, use a little bit of joy injected into our lives.

I have a pretty good idea why our forefathers designated it as the "Sunday of Joy." First, we are getting closer, only a week a way from the day that we celebrate when the Son of God is born as Son of Man. That is Good News, indeed. It was a very dark world when he was born. He came to be the light that would open our eyes and hearts and minds to the knowledge of our Creator and Redeemer; so that we might follow in the righteous path.

It is also probably called the "Sunday of Joy" because the days are getting shorter and shorter and the darkness is getting longer and longer each day. In the darkness there is much gloom; so we do all that we can to insert a bit of joy into life so that no one despairs.

Soon, very soon, the darkness will be replaced with light. All will be changed (next week) and the days will get brighter longer; even as everything got brighter when Jesus was born to the world. There will still be darkness. But, the light will overcome the darkness as the light shines brighter and brighter until the day that he shall come again. This time in full glory!  In this we rejoice!

God's Peace be with you and may you serve Him always with a joyful heart!

Pr. J