This Sunday is Gaudete Sunday – the third Sunday in Advent, with the theme – joy. We light our pink candle and are invited to ask, where is joy? what brings us joy? How does God bring joy into this world through you? A couple of years ago I talked about some research by Sonja Lyubomirsky quoted in “The Book of Joy - Lasting Happiness in a Changing World” by Dalai Lama, Desmond Tutu and Douglas Abrams. Using this research, they talked about the three ways of being joyful as; the ability to reframe a situation positively; the ability to experience gratitude; and being kind or generous. Last week we were encouraged to “Wake up!” I was asked during the week what I thought we needed to wake up to? I’m not sure I gave a very coherent answer, but John the Baptiser gives us a very good response. We are to wake up to the presence of God amongst us. Advent is a time when we consciously wake up and pay attention. In doing so we nurture the seeds of love, hope, joy, and peace that God plants...
