In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Our three lit candles represent our purple candles of HOPE and PEACE, and this week’s pink candle of JOY.   

A reading from the letter of St. Paul to the Thessalonians.

Always be joyful and never stop praying.  Whatever happens, keep thanking God for all your blessings.  This is what God wants you to do.  Accept what is good and don’t have anything to do with evil. I pray that God, who gives peace, will make you completely holy.  And may your spirit, soul, and body be kept healthy until our Lord Jesus Christ returns.

The word of the Lord :Thanks, be to God.

Saint Paul wrote that letter to his followers to give them hope and joy. But no one is happy all the time, so why does St. Paul say we should “Always be joyful”? The joy he is talking about is connected to our prayer of gratitude or “thanks” to God for giving us Jesus. 

Real joy comes from the many blessings God gives us. It comes from the love we share with one another. Joy comes from the faith we have that God promises to love us forever – no matter what!

And so, we pray – Joyful God, you offer us the gift of your joy as we continue our Advent journey.  As the celebration of Christmas approaches, help us to remember that YOU are the source of our deepest joy. 

In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen