The theme of the Third Sunday of Advent is joy. The Catholic Liturgy begins with St Paul’s exhortation: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice. The Lord is near.” (Philippians 4:4-5).
Paul, at this stage, was likely writing from prison and awaiting execution.
In those letters from prison, Paul, nevertheless, shines forth most brightly in his own faith and utter conviction about the Good News.
Paul, under sentence of death, is far from defeated and beaten. “God’s Word is not chained”, he declares (2 Timothy 2:9). He is serene. He has kept the Faith. Now, he is waiting trustingly upon the Lord (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
We ourselves, facing an unusual Christmas, coping with the real danger and present threat of Covid-19, need to know also that Hope is “not chained”.
God is in our midst, as always. Christmas 2020, as much as any Christmas ever before, announces the truth of God’s saving presence among His people.
God can never fail to be with us. The Son He sends to us is Emmanuel – “a name which means “God-is-with-us” (Isaiah 7:14).
But it is understandable that we may be afraid and not always confident.
As well as St Paul, another towering character comforts us – St John the Baptist.
This great man of God wavered somewhat. From the darkness of Herod’s dungeon, he sent a message to Jesus: “Are you The One who is go to come, or must we wait for someone else?” (Luke 7:19).
John is, in the Lord’s own words, “the greatest who ever was born” (Matthew 11:11). He had, without hesitation, declared of Jesus, “Behold the Lamb of God…” (John 1:29). And now he no longer seems so sure.
In reply to his doubting question, the Lord sends him a word that revives him. When we, too, are fearful, anxious and uncertain, the Lord’s Word will also comfort and steady us (Psalm 119:107).
The Lord is close to the broken-hearted (Psalm 34:18). When we call, He hears and rescues us from all our distress (Psalm 34:6). Of such is the very essence of Christmas.
As St Paul prayed for the Church in Thessaloniki: may we all “be kept safe and blameless… for the coming of Our Lord Jesus Christ. God has called you and He will not fail you” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).
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