We are people of joy.

Today is the third Sunday of Advent. The pink candle we light today represents joy. As a state of mind, joy is a positive attitude. As an emotion, it is happiness. For Christians, joy is a gift from God and a fruit of the Holy Spirit. It moves us to put the needs of others before our own.

There are many things in our lives that can diminish our joy. If we ignore the needs of others, our joy is lessened. When we put too much value on accumulating possessions, our joy is eroded. If the troubles and anxieties of our daily activities overwhelm us, joy becomes weaker.

In today’s gospel, John the Baptist offers suggestions for increasing our joy: practice charity, be generous with others, don’t cheat, don’t lie, and don’t be greedy. This is a prelude to the message of Jesus Christ; we serve God by serving others.

Knowing that God is in our midst is our greatest source of inspiration for leading a joy-filled life. As we continue to prepare for the birth of our Savior, may we find new ways to serve others and deepen our joy. May our actions allow others to see and believe.