Communion With the Christ:: The Season of Advent: The Joy of Jesus’ Coming

"My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior”, Lk:1:46a

Many in Israel in the days of John the Baptist and his ministry, as he prepared the way for the coming, that is the Advent, of Jesus, were living lives in which they felt little or no joy.

Many were feeling oppressed by the everyday living of life. For some, the society of that time was very disproportionate some were living in very comfortable surroundings while others struggled under the burden of everyday life .

John arose in this climate and proclaimed that one was about to come and release them and replace the oppression with comfort and joy. In this one to come the people could rejoice and fill their lives with joy.

One to Rejoice In

St. Luke records in his Gospel narrative about this one in whom they could have joy and rejoice in, it is found in the Song of Mary also called the Magnificat or the Canticle of Mary.

Mary sang the inspired words of Joy as she visited her elder cousin Elisabeth who was, like Mary, expecting a child.

“And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant.” Lk: 1:46-48

Mary proclaimed her joy in the God of her ancestors. Mary sang, that her God had not forgotten her or her people Israel. God was sending that one, of which Mary sang in her song “my spirit rejoices in God my Savior”. This is the one who would bring, joy not just to Israel but all people.

Even among the hardships of the day John assured the people who came to him to hear his message that they could rejoice and have reason to be joyful.

Good News

The Baptist, there upon that Jordan lifted up his voice boldly and without apology that there were good things to come to any and to all who would but freely receive it, that there is reason to be filled with joy and to rejoice.

The Prophet Isaiah through the Spirit looked head to the ministry and testimony of this one who was to come with the good news, the one who would bring Israel and all peoples the joy of salvation, this is one of whom Mary sang and John proclaimed to the people.

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me

to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God,

to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—

to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy

instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” Isa: 61:1-3

These prophetic words tell us of the purpose of the one who was to bring Israel and all humanity Good News from our Creator God, news which, causes us to be filled with great joy and rejoicing.

Our God has come to us in the Person of his Holy Son Jesus Christ. Jesus is the one of whom John declared to each and to all who came to him there upon the banks of that Jordan and the very one of whom Mary sang of in her the Magnificat, the one whom she carried within her own womb and would bear for all peoples in all ages.

This is the Good News in-which we can take joy and rejoice in, that our God has come to us even in the midst of hardships and struggles or in what we may feel is an empty mundane existence and to set us free to live an all-new life, that our God, has removed any and all things which could hinder our relationship with him and prevent us from knowing him and has brought salvation in which we may be clothed and live rebuilt joyful lives.

He has come so that we might walk in his divine favor here and now upon the Earth and on into eternity; as the Prophet declared of our Lord Jesus.

“They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated;

they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.

Strangers will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.

And you will be called priests of the Lord, you will be named ministers of our God.

You will feed on the wealth of nations, and in their riches you will boast. Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace

you will rejoice in your inheritance.

And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours” Isa: 61:4-7

These prophetic words are not just for, Israel or nations in the years to come, but they speak of the salvation work of Jesus here and now in the lives of any and all who will but freely receive it. Lives rebuilt and given purpose in the service of God as we go through life, giving, even what we might think of as the most ordinary of life’s moments a scared meaning.

This means, that through Jesus, God has brought salvation into all parts of our lives making each day a living sacrament to God. There is no longer a distinction between sacred and the secular in the way we might normally think of it. All of our life is made Holy in Jesus having been redeemed by his very self.

Rejoice Always

St. Paul writing to Christians in all ages tells us that we are to rejoice always at all times and in all circumstances.

“Rejoice always”,1Thess:5:16

The Apostle again, reaffirms that believers are all people who have reason to be filled with Joy.

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Philp: 4:4

This rejoicing is to give expression to the Joy of the Holy Spirit who works in our lives to speak to us about Jesus and to continually tells to be filled with Joy for Jesus has come. Jesus is the one of whom Mary sang and John proclaimed. Gal: 5:22

This is the Good News in which we can rejoice in during this Advent Season and beyond.

Rejoice.

Benediction: May we each and all be filled with the joy of the Lord because Jesus is come, today, tomorrow and forevermore. Amen.