Gaudete
I am utterly immersed in Advent’s charms this year. The anticipation of Christmas to me has everything to do with the season leading up—the slow build up week by week, if I choose this over the hustle of commerce first, forces me to reckon with the words which shout fear not, peace, praise , and generally show wonderment: how can this be? Case in point: Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. or The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?” He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” The scripture holds part of this charm, especially Isaiah, Zephaniah, Jeremiah, and here the New testament passages from this past Sunday, Gaudete Sunday in the Catholic tradition: rejoice. Rejoice because...