Third Sunday of Advent.

The third candle symbolizes joy.

Anybody have any grand ideas for this one? Pastor Nathan explained this morning that joy comes internally, externally, and always from God. Yet what about those moments, like this moment, where joy is a little harder to come by? Harder to find? Sometimes it is just more of a struggle, and we feel like we spend so much time looking for and grasping at hope and peace that seeking joy just feels more like a chore. I have written several times on this blog about actively trying to live my life one of joy. And how hard it is. When joy, the beautiful return for waiting for and the gift of Jesus, should be so simple. Do you have any ideas? I don’t really know what to think about joy today because I am waiting, it feels like everyone is waiting, for the joyous part of this season. And waiting is not very much fun. And just as I’ve offered to pray and keep you in my prayers, please keep my family in yours. Pray for healing and hope and peace and that the suffocating, intoxicating, brilliant thing of joy comes to overwhelm them all. Us all.

Victoria, by miracle of all miracles, is covered in a pretty blanket of snow. And it’s so very quiet out in the world of white, perhaps here to settle us in for the last full week of anticipating You.

grace and peace,

Kate