rejoice!

You see, the thing about me is that I simply cannot be held down for long by the oppression of sadness and hopelessness.  My spirit, like a cat thrown from a ninth story window, wants to 'right' itself.  Like a cat will always land on its feet, my soul always seeks to see a silver lining.

Scripture speaks to this very idea.  From 1 Thessalonians Ch. 5 (which is chock full of wisdom, so you might want to just go read the whole thing):

¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
and

¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Today is the Third Sunday of Advent. Gaudete Sunday. 'Gaudete' is the Latin word for Rejoice... it is also the name of this beautiful ancient carol (sung in Latin). 

 

The lyrics (Latin):

Gaudete

Gaudete! gaudete! Christus est natus ex Maria Virgine: Gaudete!
Tempus adest gratiae, Hoc quod optabamus;
Carmina laeticiae Devote redamus.
Gaudete! gaudete! Christus est natus ex Maria Virgine: Gaudete!
Deus homo factus est, Natura mirante;
Mundus renovatus est, A Christo regnante.
Gaudete! gaudete! Christus est natus ex Maria Virgine: Gaudete!
Ezechiellis porta Clausa pertransitur;
Unde lux est orta, Salus invenitur.
Gaudete! gaudete! Christus est natus ex Maria Virgine: Gaudete!
Ergo nostra concito Psallat iam in lustro;
Benedicat Domino: Salus Regi nostro.
Gaudete! gaudete! Christus est natus ex Maria Virgine: Gaudete!

English translation

Rejoice!

Rejoice! Rejoice! Christ is born of the Virgin Mary: rejoice!
The time of grace has come, This that we have desired;
Verses of joy, Let us devoutly return.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Christ is born of the Virgin Mary: rejoice!
God has become man, Nature marveling;
The world has been renewed, By the reigning Christ.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Christ is born of the Virgin Mary: rejoice!
The closed gate of Ezechiel is passed through;
Whence the light is born, Salvation is found.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Christ is born of the Virgin Mary: rejoice!
Therefore let our gathering, Now sing in brightness
Let it give praise to the Lord: Greeting to our King.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Christ is born of the Virgin Mary: rejoice!

 

 

 

Rejoice!

Go out of your way to find Joy!

Otherwise, the enemy will win,

and that's not how the story ends.