Rejoice and Be Glad

As I explained in my final Psalms class this week, Psalm 16 is my current favorite for a number of reasons, with the final lines providing a wonderful Advent anthem: “You show me the road to life: boundless joy at your side forever!” Advent is a joyful time, as reflected in many of the Scripture passages we read and chant during this season of anticipation. Just this morning, our Invitatory chant observed, “The heart that hears good news will be full of joy,” and the Benedictus antiphon proclaimed, “Rejoice and be glad; your Savior is near.”

That spirit of joyfulness is spilling over at the Mount, especially in the decking of halls and walls, windows and work spaces, nooks and niches, creches and crevices … you’d best not stand still too long, or you’ll end up with a belt of garland around your waist or tinsel in your hair! Every day a new wreath or string of popcorn or poinsettia mysteriously appears to awaken our senses and instill a spirit of gladness that Emmanuel, God with us, shows us the road to life and is at our side forever.

Even so, Advent continues to be a time of waiting. Although every branch of the tree in our dining room is festooned with ornaments, the lights that will really make it sparkle won’t be turned on until Christmas eve. For another week, we will pray, “Give light to those who sit in darkness, and guide our feet into the way of peace.” In the midst of our festive preparations, we—and our Christmas tree—recall the ancient Advent message: “The coming of the Lord is near. Stand firm and wait for him in patience.”