Colourful Dreamer

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...

This sermon can be listened to here   Gate Pa – Year B 3 rd Sunday Advent 2020, Readings: Psalm                          Psalm 126 First Reading :               Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11              Second Reading :        1 Thess 5:16-24                  Gospel:                          John 1:6-8, 19-28                What I want to say: What is joy? How do we nurture this seed of joy God plants within each one of us this year? This has bee...

This Sunday is Gaudete Sunday – the third Sunday in Advent, with the theme – joy. We get to light our pink candle! And we are invited to ask, where is joy? In this Covid world after this hard year it is a chance to stop and wonder, 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 the voice to be kind or generous. Advent is a time when we nurture the seeds of love, hope, joy, and peace that God plants within each of us. It is a time to feed the soil of our soul and allow these seeds to root and grow in our lives. It is surprising how often these three ways of nurturing joy keep coming up from the spiritual traditions...