"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near."
The opening antiphon for Gaudete Sunday tells us to rejoice. We are getting near to the feast of Our Lord's nativity and this fills us with joy. The first reading is from the Prophet Isaiah 35:1-6a, 10:
"The desert and the parched land will exult; the steppe will rejoice and bloom. They will bloom with abundant flowers, and rejoice with joyful song....they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendor of our God. Strengthen the hands that are feeble, make firm the knees that are weak, say to those whose hearts are frightened: Be strong, fear not! Here is your God, he comes with vindication; with divine recompense he comes to save you. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened, the ears of the deaf be cleared; then will the lame leap like a stag, then the tongue of the mute will sing.
Those whom the Lord has ransomed will return and enter Zion singing, crowned with everlasting joy; they will meet with joy and gladness, sorrow and mourning will flee."
I guess I had to copy this because it really does call us to rejoice. No matter how long the "to do" list, or the feeling of anxiety that you have not yet mailed cards or found the right present, etc. just stop, take a deep breath and really rejoice in the coming of the Lord.
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