The Hidden Joy of Humility
Third Day of Advent. Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Jesus Rejoices in the Father’s Will
In that same hour he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, or who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”
Then turning to the disciples, he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.”
Luke 10:21-24
Dear friends,
Maybe we should have read this on the first day because of its central Advent truth: God our Father chooses to reveal the deepest truths not to the wise and learned, but to the “little ones”—the humble. We marvel at this because it is a mysterious joy of Jesus, and it can be our joy too.
Today, amid all the political and global power struggles and our own desire for bigger and better things, the Incarnation reminds us of the power of humility. God did not come to earth with a commanding presence or complex knowledge but as a helpless child, first revealing Himself to shepherds and ordinary people.
When we approach our life in Christ with humility and simplicity, we recognize its essence. This leads to a deeper and clearer understanding of how to navigate the world in all its complexity.*
Let us set aside our need for complicated answers and approach the Advent mystery with child-like openness. If we trust less in our own knowledge and more in God’s simple, loving presence, we will be among those to whom the Kingdom is revealed.
Going Further
Can you think of a time and place to listen more than speak, admit a mistake, or serve others quietly?
While being in the presence of God, can you set aside the need for “complicated answers” or complex knowledge?
How will you consciously adopt an attitude of trust, wonder, and receptivity rather than skepticism?
The hymn “Creator of the Stars of Night” acknowledges Christ as the majestic creator who chose to be born in lowliness, reinforcing that true greatness lies in humility.
Waiting and watching,
* Followers of Christ understand the difference between true simplicity and oversimplifying. Living simply helps us remove unnecessary distractions and see how to handle complex life issues. Conversely, being simplistic ignores important details and fails to recognize how interconnected many things are in life. This can lead to not addressing the real-life challenges we face.