From our series "Advent 2023." This is the third Sunday of Advent, traditionally calld "Rejoice Sunday!" But if we're honest, we have mixed feelings about joy at Christmastime. During the holidays, our culture is shouting at us to be happy and feel the Christmas spirit, which only highlights the very real grief and difficulties that we all experience. This is why the topic of joy can be tough, especially at Christmas time. We feel the tension of rejoicing and lamenting, which is why Mary is the perfect person to pay attention to on "Rejoice Sunday." The mother of God experienced that same tension in her own story. She leads the rest of us to that same Joy in her Son Jesus.