Alliance for Catholic Education
Reflection by Leslie Fragozo
Junior, San Miguel High School: Cristo Rey Network
PATH Tucson, Cohort 1
Graduate, St. John the Evangelist Catholic School
"Rejoice, Rejoice, Emmanuel" – but what exactly does that mean to us? As Christmas approaches, we sometimes forget the exact meaning behind Christmas. Is it all the bright Christmas lights hanging on our trees? Is it the presents we receive from our families and friends? Or is it the Christmas carols we hear on the radio? These can be ways we express Christmas in our households, but what does it mean exactly?
Throughout the years, more and more people forget the true meaning behind Christmas. We live such busy lives that we don't take the time of the day to think about the day our Savior was born! I know that in the past couple of years, it has been tough for many people. Things such as the pandemic and injustices in our world have lessened the faith for some of us. For people my age, it has been difficult to maintain that faith within us, but guess what? Those things don't define us, and Advent serves as a time for reflection and preparation.
As we light four candles in Advent, the third is pink and symbolizes joy. There are many moments in our lives where we have experienced that great feeling of joy. A moment I experienced great joy during this time was when my family was talking about what Christmas was like in their childhood. I remember specifically looking at my mother and seeing her face light up as she talked about what Christmas was like for her as a child. What made this moment so special is that I witnessed joy within my family and I heard their stories.
That is what the third Sunday of Advent means to me: expressing joy within yourself and with others. I would like to invite you to take time out of your day to reflect on a time you experienced great joy and to share it with others. We should find ways to spread joy into our world, even if it’s the smallest thing like listening to other people’s stories about a time they were truly happy. As a high school student, I know some teenagers feel like their lives won’t make a difference, but trust me – it does! Our generation has proved that we can create big change and find ways to spread joy and impact those who might feel alone during these special times.
So how does joy connect with the idea of rejoicing? During Advent, my teachers often play the song, “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” When I first listened to the song I didn’t quite know what it meant. All I remember when hearing this song is that it was catchy – I would catch myself or my friends singing it all the time.
As I grew older, though, I started to realize what it meant. Emmanuel means “God is with us,” and during Advent God is present with us at all times. Now when I listen to this song I have a different understanding of it from when I was younger. I remember asking who Emmanuel was, and why were people asking him to come? Now I understand that this song is about rejoicing for Jesus’ coming. We feel joy because we receive God’s grace and delight in the coming of Jesus. During Advent, we should reflect that same excitement and joy we have for the birth of Jesus and share it with a loved one. We must prepare our minds for the special event that has yet to come!
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