Though it was near a notable place, Ramah, where one of the matriarchs of Israel, Rachel, had died, “Ephrathah” was, as scripture tells us, virtually “too small” to be noticed. Yet, the prophet Micah says it would be the place of a new king in the line of King David.

It’s a funny couple of weeks in the church. For two Sundays now Jesus does not appear in the gospels. Of course it’s Advent, so it seems appropriate Jesus remain offstage until he officially comes to us as Emmanuel. But still: How do you tell the gospel story without him?

In an unusual moment of foresight and planning, I ordered a $10 blonde wig online well in advance of Halloween for a costume my young daughter was planning to wear. When the wig arrived, I handed the package to my daughter to open.

To open ourselves to God’s joy, let us pray for forgiveness of our failings and sins.

"Fear not,” scripture tells us. “Have no anxiety at all.” Why not? “The Lord, your God, is in your midst”; “the Lord is near.” But how: “What should we do?” Answer: “Shout for joy,” of course, and “cry out with joy and gladness”—in a word: “Rejoice!”

Today is “Gaudete” Sunday, from the first word of the entrance prayer at Mass, which means rejoice! That is what the pink candle on the Advent wreath that we light today signifies: “Be glad! Christmas is almost here. It’s not too late to prepare.”

The fullness of joy is to behold God in everything. —Julian of Norwich (1342-c. 1416)