Third Sunday of Advent...

Joy. There's a lot of joy going on in Iraq today, but the Joy of Advent is of a different sort. Read James 5:7-11, So be patient, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s return. Think of how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the ground and is patient for it until it receives the early and late rains. You also be patient and strengthen your hearts, for the Lord’s return is near. Do not grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be judged. See, the judge stands before the gates! As an example of suffering and patience, brothers and sisters, take the prophets who spoke in the Lord’s name. Think of how we regard as blessed those who have endured. You have heard of Job’s endurance and you have seen the Lord’s purpose, that the Lord is full of compassion and mercy. We bought our Christmas Tree this evening. My kids had a wonderful time decorating it. By the time we finished it was too late to light the third candle of the Advent wreath, so we'll do that on Monday evening. Here's a poem by Keith Patman, Another Mystery I Pose It is mystery enough, This pulsing starlight blazing. Grazing pine tops, Glazing virgin snows. And yet another mystery I pose: What pulse is this that beats Beneath a virgin's pulse? What light from east of earth's end Blazes in this bestial close?