Third Sunday of Advent - December 14, 2025
Meyu Changkiri
The Third Sunday of Advent, known as the Sunday of Joy, comes each year with a gentle reminder that joy is more than a holiday feeling. It is a steady gift from God - something deeper than excitement and stronger than circumstances. Before the rush of Christmas week arrives, this Sunday invites us to pause and remember that true joy is found in God’s nearness. Traditionally called Gaudete Sunday, meaning “Rejoice,” it teaches us that joy is possible even in uncertain times because God walks with us.
This year, the day felt especially meaningful to me on a personal level. When I look back at my childhood in Kohima in the early 1980s, I remember how richly diverse our little locality was. Most families had two boys around our age. There was a Gorkha family, a Sumi family, a Lotha family, two Chakhesang families, and then my elder brother and me. We children grew up together - running around the neighbourhood, sharing stories, forming friendships that crossed communities without a second thought. Among them, the Chakhesang families were an important part of our daily life, and my early memories are filled with their warmth, kindness, and colourful presence.
Advent season was especially exciting for us children. Our school exams were finally over, which meant freedom from lessons and homework. With that joy in our hearts, my brother and I, along with our neighbourhood friends, would go house to house carolling. The truth is, we only knew one carol fully - “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” The rest were half-remembered, mumbled lines and incomplete songs, but that never stopped us. We carried an empty Lactogen tin as our “collection box,” hoping that families would drop in a few coins or notes. And they did - with smiles and encouragement. Our mission was simple and honest: to collect enough money to go for a picnic. The joy of those evenings came not from perfect singing but from being children - free, happy, and together.
Because of these memories, when my wife and I were recently invited to speak at the Chakhesang Christian Fellowship Shillong, it felt like reconnecting with an important part of my life’s story. Their warm welcome reminded me again of the bonds formed in my younger days. Standing there and sharing God’s Word on the theme “The Joy at the Coming of Our Saviour” felt like a circle completed - from childhood friendships to this meaningful Advent fellowship many years later.
Joy That Goes Beneath the Surface
The word “joy” is everywhere during Christmas - on cards, posters, shop windows, and songs. But many people quietly feel the opposite. Holidays often bring hidden worries: family tensions, financial pressure, health struggles, or the loneliness of missing someone dearly. Even when things look bright on the outside, life can feel heavy inside.
That is why the joy the Holy Bible talks about is so refreshing. Christian joy is not the same as temporary happiness. It does not disappear when things get tough. It does not depend on everything going well. It is quiet but strong, gentle but steady. This joy comes from knowing that God is with us, even when life is not perfect. It is a joy that says, “I may not have all the answers, but I am not alone.”
This kind of joy does not ignore pain. Instead, it walks with us through difficult seasons. It gives strength when our hearts feel weak. It offers hope when life feels uncertain. It is like a steady light in a dark valley - not enough to remove all darkness at once, but enough to guide our steps.
The First Christmas Message
On the first Christmas night, an angel appeared to a group of shepherds and shared a message that changed everything:
“I bring you good news of great joy…
a Saviour has been born to you.”
(Luke 2:10–11)
This announcement reminds us that joy is not something we manufacture. Joy is a gift from God. It flows from what Jesus brings into the world - hope, forgiveness, peace, and a new beginning.
From that angelic message, we discover three life-giving truths about the joy Christ offers:
God has come near to us.
God brings light into our darkness.
God gives us peace and salvation.
These truths have shaped generations - and they continue to shape us today.
1. Joy Because God Has Come Near
One of the most surprising things about the Christmas story is whom God chose to tell first. Angels did not appear to kings, rich families, or religious leaders. They appeared to shepherds - ordinary men who lived outdoors and were often ignored by society.
This tells us something important about God’s heart. He comes close to the humble. He sees the unnoticed. He values the ordinary. Shepherds had no special status, yet God chose them to hear the greatest news in history.
Christmas reminds us that God does not wait for us to rise up to Him. He comes down to us. He enters our world with simplicity and humility. He was born not in a palace but in a manger. His arrival teaches us that no one is too small, too simple, or too broken for His love.
And this truth matters because many people walk into the Christmas season with quiet worries - about their future, their families, their finances, or their health. Advent tells us: Joy does not mean life has no problems. Joy means God is with us in the middle of them. Because He has come near, we have courage for tomorrow.
2. Joy Because Light Has Entered Our Darkness
Long before Jesus was born, Isaiah wrote:
“The people walking in darkness
have seen a great light.”
(Isaiah 9:2)
Darkness comes in many forms - fear, disappointment, guilt, confusion, loneliness, addiction, or emotional pain. Many people celebrate outwardly during Christmas but feel empty or anxious inwardly. Sometimes we smile in public even when our hearts feel weighed down.
But Christmas brings hope: Jesus is the Light who steps into our darkness. His light brings clarity when we are confused, hope when we feel discouraged, and forgiveness when we feel ashamed. His light does not flicker or fade. It stays.
No failure is too great for God’s grace.
No wound is beyond His healing.
No darkness is too deep for His presence.
If you are carrying a quiet burden this season, let the light of Christ enter that space. His light brings back joy - not suddenly, but steadily, like dawn rising over the hills.
3. Joy Because Jesus Brings Peace and Salvation
The angel’s message declared the birth of a Saviour - not just a teacher, philosopher, or moral guide. Jesus came to restore us to God, to forgive our sins, and to bring lasting peace.
His peace touches every part of our lives. It calms anxious hearts, strengthens weary souls, and softens relationships strained by misunderstanding. It reminds us that we are held securely by God even when life feels uncertain.
And Advent reminds us of one more truth: the story is not finished. The Saviour who came once will come again. One day, every tear will be wiped away. Justice will be restored. Brokenness will be healed. Everything wrong will be made right.
This world may be unstable, but God’s promise is firm. That is why Christians can live with joy. Not because life is perfect, but because Christ is our steady hope.
How Joy Grows in Everyday Life
Joy grows best in hearts that make space for it. It grows when we slow down and notice God’s goodness - sunrise over the hills, shared laughter, a kind word from a neighbour. It grows when we pray and let God calm our anxious minds. Joy grows when we choose kindness and generosity. It grows when we simplify our lives and make room for what truly matters. And joy grows when we read God’s Word and hold on to His promises.
Where Christ is welcomed, joy finds room to grow.
Walking in Joy This Advent
As we journey through Advent, let us allow the joy of Christ to guide us. Let Him speak peace into our fears. Let us share hope with our neighbours, friends, and families. And let us reflect His joy in our forgiveness, humility, and love.
When people see joy not only in our celebrations but also in our daily actions, they see the light of Christ shining through us.
A Christmas Blessing for You and Your Family
Dear readers, the message of Christmas is simple and beautiful:
Joy has come because Jesus has come.
Joy remains because He is with us.
Joy grows because He is coming again.
May His joy fill your homes. May His peace steady your hearts. May His light guide your steps. May His hope lift your spirit. May His love embrace you in every season.
Christ is our Joy. Christ is our Strength. Christ is our Peace. Christ is our Hope. Rejoice - He is near.
Amen.
