Love, Joy, Peace
Love, Joy, Peace
Each of the four outer candles in the Advent wreath is significant, but the third candle holds an unusual place among them. In most wreaths, it’s the one that stands out. And not just because it’s a different color. It’s because there’s something unique and celebratory about the theme of the third week of Advent as reflected in this week’s lectionary readings. The pink candle is the “Gaudete”—Joy—Candle.
Joy is a word you see and hear a lot during the Advent and Christmas seasons. Traditionally, the first exclamation of the Holy Communion service on Christmas morning, for example, is “Joy! (to the world, the Lord is come.)” Joy is the middle member of a kind of “Christmas Troika”, three sentiments that are often yoked in this season: Love, Joy, Peace.
Have you ever made the connection, though, that these also comprise the first third of the Fruit of the Spirit? This implies, then, that these three are much, much more than mere warm sentiments we’re supposed to feel during this time. So, we’re going to consider what love, joy, and peace mean for followers of Jesus during these seasons...and always.
See you Sunday,
Steve+
NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Christmas Giving—Redeemer has partnered with our neighbors at The Salvation Army Annapolis Corps for two of their annual initiatives:
Thank you so much to everyone who participated in Angel Tree! You’ve helped change Christmas morning for 15 Annapolis families.
Also, it’s not too late to ring. The whole year of services that The Salvation Army provides to our community is funded by their Red Kettle Campaign. The funds raised locally stay here. You can help by giving a little time—and having a lot of fun—as a volunteer bell ringer. Sign up at registertoring.com with your family or friends. It’s a great way to spread some Christmas cheer and fund services that are provided in Jesus’ name to our neighbors in need.
Lessons and Carols—Tuesday, December 24, 5PM followed by a “favorite hors d’oeuvre” and wine reception.
Holy Communion—Christmas morning, 11:00AM.
Evening Prayer—beginning Wednesday, January 8 and continuing weekly, we will gather in our Sanctuary for Evening Prayer, 7-8PM.
Photo: Kalisa Veer on Unsplash
