Praise as a Path to Joy

St Peters Orthodox Church

The Mass for the Third Sunday of Advent is given the title rejoice. It is a day to remember the great works of Christ our God on our behalf. And, as we do, it is a day for our souls to be lightened and lifted as we offer thanksgiving to our God. Praise, thanksgiving to God, is most certainly a spiritual discipline; one through which Christ our God reveals Himself to us and lets us know just how close He is to us at all times. Today we consider how the discipline of rejoicing in God is a path for our soul to open and encounter Him. Every encounter with God, ever Divine revelation of Himself to us is indeed a path to experience true joy.