JOY is the theme for this third Sunday in Advent! The prophet Isaiah describes Israel’s joy in the Messiah as being like a person who’s served his time being released from prison (Isaiah 61:1) The apostle Paul invites us – by faith – to “Rejoice always,” (1 Thess. 5:16). And John the Baptist proclaims the superiority of Christ with joy. The ability to rejoice, even through hard times, is an act of spiritual bravery. Cynics play it safe. God calls us to reflect the JOY that befits those who know the Savior of the world has come.