Advent 3 + Gaudete

Matthew 11:2-11

In the latest issue of the Lutheran Witness, the magazine of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, the topic of “Traditions” is discussed, which is fitting as we go through the season of Advent and approach Christmas. Every family has its own traditions. Every congregation has its traditions. In the end, every tradition we observe and uphold should help us confess the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus. 

In the opening article of the Lutheran Witness, our synod president, Matthew Harrison, reminded readers that tradition is a Scriptural idea, taught in both the Gospels and the Epistles.

St. Luke wrote,

Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught. (Luke 1:1-4)

The idea here is that Luke would “Deliver” or pass down what he received to others.

Or as the St. Paul wrote to the Corinthians,

Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. (1 Corinthians 15:1-5)

The use of the word “delivered” here is rooted in the Greek word for tradition, so St. Paul is truly saying, “For I gave to you, the tradition of what I received.”

And this is none other than the tradition of passing down and sharing the story and good news of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. 

But we don’t think of words being passed down from one generation to another in the same way we think of Grandma’s sugar cookies at Christmas, the trimming of the Christmas tree, or the family games played around the table on Christmas Day.

We tend to see tradition as things we do.

The Lutheran Confessions address the idea of traditions, the things we do, too, by saying,

Our churches teach that ceremonies ought to be observed that may be observed without sin. Also, ceremonies and other practices that are profitable for tranquility and good order in the Church (in particular, holy days, festivals, and the like) ought to be observed.[1]

From this, the traditions and ceremonies of the Church, such as the pastor wearing robes, lighting candles, making the sign of the cross, Gospel processions, and celebrating the festival of Christmas, are all for the good of the Church. There’s nothing wrong with them.

So, what does any of this have to do with today?

Well, there’s a tradition during the season of Advent that we’ve usually just accepted without knowing the story behind it, and that is the rose-colored candle in the Advent wreath. The rose-colored candle represents the Third Sunday of Advent, known as Gaudete Sunday.

Gaudete comes from the Latin word for “Rejoice!”

Soon, the Sunday School choir will sing the musical piece Gaudete. While it’s a sacred Christmas carol written in Latin, it is believed to have actually been composed around the 16th century as part of a Finnish or Swedish collection of songs. It’s not as old as one might have believed.

But getting back to that rose-colored candle and the history of Gaudete Sunday. The season of Advent originally began around the 5th century as early as November 11th, when it was known as St. Martin’s Lent. No, this was not for Martin Luther; it was for St. Martin of Tours, a Soldier turned pastor, known for his generous heart and love of Christ.

It was around the ninth century when the season of Advent was shortened to the current four weeks, and with this shorter season, Gaudete Sunday occurs in the third week to reflect that we are now more than halfway through the penitential season, it provided a brief reprieve from the traditions and discipline of increased fasting, prayer, and alms giving. 

You see, Advent didn’t used to be as commercialized as it is today; it has long been a penitential season, much like Lent. But over time, the world has snuffed out the penitential aspect of Advent to get a jump-start on the Christmas festivities. In light of this, Gaudete Sunday has lost some of its importance. There’s no need to have a respite from the toils of a penitential season if all you are doing is partying and rejoicing already.

In a fascinating way, while the church is adorned with the tradition of an Advent wreath to help us mark time and properly prepare our hearts for the coming of our Savior, do we keep this tradition correctly so that we might stay focused and receive Christ’s coming properly? 

Or do we permit the more recent traditions of the world to imprison us with “parties for hosting, marshmallows for toasting, and caroling in the snow?”

You see, the season of Advent, like Lent, is a time set aside for Christians to examine what sins and tribulations of life have imprisoned them (You).

What’s interesting about the Gospel reading today is that while John the Baptist is in a physical prison, his disciples might find themselves in a mental and spiritual prison of sorts. They have followed John the Baptist and heard his teaching about the coming of the Messiah, but now their excitement likely turned to disappointment because John the Baptist, their leader, is in captivity and will die soon.

So, from his prison cell, John the Baptist sends his disciples to Jesus. Some believe this is because John’s faith had weakened or that doubts began to arise in his mind about Jesus. Still, I’ve joined those theologians who see this event as John the Baptist, not seeking his own confirmation of who Jesus is; he knows who He is but continues to point his disciples, who are in a weakened state, to Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who will go to the cross to take away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)

And I believe John the Baptist knew his disciples would need this lesson, so they might seek the comfort of Jesus as they approach their time of mourning and sadness, the day when John the Baptist would be beheaded.

So, what has imprisoned you this year?

Has the tinsel of the season blinded you and caused you to lose sight of your Savior? Has an illness hindered your ability to walk and serve your neighbors? Has cancer made you feel like a leper, cut off emotionally and physically from friends and family? Have you noticed yourself drifting away and ignoring Jesus’ voice and words? Has depression and anxiety made you feel poor and dead inside? 

If so, the words Jesus spoke to the disciples of John the Baptist are for you, too.

Jesus said to them,

Go and tell John what you hear and see:  the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. (Matthew 11:4-5)

This is what the traditions of Holy Scripture do when they are handed down correctly: they deliver the Good News of Jesus Christ to those imprisoned, whether by ailment or sin. The Good News of Jesus grants you forgiveness of sin and raises you to new life, eternal life. 

This is why the traditions of the Church, such as those observed during Advent, include acts like penitential self-examination and confession, as well as the simple details of the Advent wreath that mark the passage of time, preparing you for the coming of your Savior on the last day. The day when you are not only raised out of sin but also out of the grave, the day when you shall join the heavenly choir, rejoicing eternally. 

For this reason, the lessons of John the Baptist, like the traditions of the Church today, must always point you to your Savior, Jesus Christ. +INJ+

Rev. Noah J. Rogness

Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Tomah, WI

www.goodsheptomah.org

[1] Paul Timothy McCain, ed., Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions (St. Louis, MO: Concordia Publishing House, 2005), 39.