3RD WEEK OF ADVENT

Blessed is the man who . . . keeps the sabbath.

If someone tells you something that could benefit you, you should pay attention, right? And if they say it twice, it’s probably pretty important. Well, in today’s first reading, the Lord twice tells us that whoever keeps the Sabbath is blessed, not only Jews, but even “foreigners” (Isaiah 56:6). God promises to bless everyone who sets apart time to honor him.

As we approach the final Sunday of Advent, it’s good to remember that God makes the same promise to us.

The whole season of Advent is a kind of Sabbath, a time “set apart” for the Lord. Unfortunately, the demands of holiday gift shopping and wrapping, cooking, and decorating can leave you anxious, overtired, or short-tempered. It can crowd out your “set-apart time” with the Lord and the joy he offers.

What should you do about it? You know that refraining from those activities isn’t the answer. God wants you to enjoy the goodness of the season. He wants you to be happy. That’s what the word “blessed” means here. The Giver of all good gifts loves it when you give gifts to people. He loves celebrations. He wants you to enjoy his blessings and to share them with those around you. And so he created a simple way for you to be “blessed”: you can treat this season as a “sabbath.”

That doesn’t mean you have to stay home or spend hours in church for the next ten days. Just try to carve out some time. Rest with him, especially on Sunday, but on other days too. Turn off the screens for a bit and read the infancy narratives in the Gospels. Sit quietly and listen to Christmas carols. Reflect on the words and let them speak to you. You might keep them playing as you crank out those dozens of cookies. Or maybe you could ponder God’s gift of his Son while you wrap your own gifts.

As you give the Lord such “sabbath” time, you will become more peaceful. Stress levels will fall. You might even find yourself becoming more encouraging and hopeful. It can be challenging, but know that God is at your side to bless you. He wants to give you the rest that only he can give.

“Father, thank you for the gift of your Son. Help me to honor you as I celebrate his birth.”

Isaiah 56:1-3, 6-8
Psalm 67:2-3, 5, 7-8
John 5:33-36