Editor's Note: For the 2021 Advent season, EarthBeat is revisiting and republishing some of the reflections from last year's series, "Simple Advent, Abundant Life." Sign up here to receive the "Simple Advent Revisited" reflections three times a week in your inbox.
Third week of Advent — Reflection
Monday, Dec. 13
REFLECT
"As the earth brings forth its plants,
and a garden makes its growth spring up,
so will the Lord GOD make justice and praise
spring up before all the nations."-Isaiah 61: 11
"Rejoice always."
-1 Thessalonians 5:16
On the third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, we paused to celebrate that the coming of Jesus and God's justice are near. Gaudete is a Latin word meaning "rejoice," and as we take this moment to pause in the middle of Advent, we remember that true and lasting joy comes from God and through love of neighbor, not from discounts or the material presents that we give or receive. Advent simplicity provides an opportunity to reorient ourselves toward joy and to give thanks for the abundance of gifts already present in our lives.
As we enter this third week of Advent, how can you make space to rejoice and express gratitude for the gifts already present in your life?
ACT
Consider calling a loved one and expressing your gratitude for them or making a list of things for which you are grateful that you can uplift in prayer.
View the Advent Simplicity Calendar for an Advent prayer on consumerism.
Simple Advent, Abundant Life
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