Baruch proclaims that we will be remembered by God. Do I feel remembered? Do I feel led by God?

There now: Doesn’t the church look pretty? You’d have to be a Scrooge not to feel the heightened sense of expectation and wonder that accompanies this season, when the world around us is transformed by lights and colors and music that can only mean one thing: Christmas is on its way.

In the fifteenth year of the rule of Caesar Tiberius—it was while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea; Herod, ruler of Galilee; his brother Philip, ruler of Iturea and Trachonitis; Lysanias, ruler of Abilene; during the Chief-Priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas—John, Zachariah’s son, out in the desert at the time, received a message from God.

My aunt Karen is a professor at a small Christian liberal arts university. She teaches in a special “bridge” program for students who have academic potential to go on to college but who are lacking in what educators call “soft skills”—that is, social and emotional intelligence.

She was at an awkward age, no longer a child but not yet mature. And so she didn’t quite know how to play Christmas any more. She used to love the presents and the “secret Santa” rituals and the prospect of dolls and games and toys.

Saint Paul prays for the Philippians that their love will increase in knowledge and perception so that they may discern what is of value. Think about it: Love is not the first thought that comes to mind when you’re trying to figure out what’s best in any given situation.

A few decades ago pundits were predicting the demise of the once mighty and proud city of New York. It had become in too many people’s minds virtually ungovernable, incredibly dirty, frighteningly dangerous, and so, totally uninviting.

My friends in Christ, we continue the season of Advent when we ready ourselves for the coming of God’s presence in Christ. In the presence of God our Creator, we ask for mercy.

To find joy in another’s joy, that is the secret of happiness.