Reflection on the 3rd Sunday of Advent: JOY

I personally have been feeling the “blah” the past few weeks. Most of it stems from returning to work, juggling family, spiritual commitments, as well as my spiritual growth.

What keeps me sane is the hand of God in my life. It’s due to the Holy Spirit working in me that I am inspired to write this post and share the joy and happiness within even through I am going through hard and challenging times. Going to morning Mass during the week, spending time in prayer and silence before God helps me get through my day with a spring in my steps.

Downtown Montreal resonates with silence at 7:00 am, and the tranquil beauty of the downtown core decorated with Christmas lights is a soothing and joyful way to start my day.

I love to kneel before the Holy Family, and mediate upon God’s gift (in the alcove to the right of the Cathedral is a beautiful Christmas scene):

But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see — I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’” (Luke 2:10-12)

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The 3rd week of Advent is already here, and as I get older time seems to speed up. The candle of joy is lit today, and I pray each of us feel peace and joy within. Tune out all the negative din around us and know that God is with each of us as we go through the challenges of life.

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Here are 5 verses to reflect on:

1.

Psalm 25:12-13

¹² Who are they that fear the Lord?
    He will teach them the way that they should choose.

¹³ They will abide in prosperity,
    and their children shall possess the land.

2.

Psalm 55:22

²² Cast your burden on the Lord,
and he will sustain you;
he will never permit
the righteous to be moved.

3.

Psalm 34:19

¹⁹ Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
but the Lord rescues them from them all.

4.

Psalm 37:23-24

²³ Our steps are made firm by the Lord,
when he delights in our way;
²⁴ though we stumble, we shall not fall headlong,
for the Lord holds us by the hand.

5.

Psalm 54:7

⁷ For he has delivered me from every trouble,
and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies.

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May our hearts glow with joy in anticipation as we journey with the shepherds and three wisemen to the birth of Jesus. Peace be with you 🙏💕

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