This third Sunday of Advent that we celebrate today is called Guadete Sunday. The tradition of this third Sunday goes back to the fourth or fifth century, which is where we trace back the tradition of Advent. Gaudete Sunday shifts the focus of Advent. The first two weeks of Advent focus on the coming of the Lord, on our preparations, our watching, our alertness. As we prepare during Advent, we focus on a lot of details. On Guadete Sunday, there is a greater sense of joyful anticipation as the birth of the Lord drawers closer. There is a special liturgical color for Guadete Sunday, as the priest wears a rose-colored vestment and the Advent wreath has a rose-colored candle which is lit. The word “Gaudete” is the Latin word for “rejoice.” We rejoice in our Lord who loves us. We await his coming, not with fear, but with great joy. In his second letter to the Thessalonians, St Paul states: “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances, we give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” Let us rejoice in the coming of the Lord on this third Sunday of Advent.
Prayer for the lighting of three candles on our Advent wreath:
Lord God, on this Third Sunday of Advent, the witness of John the Baptist leads us to Christ and helps us prepare a path for the coming of our Lord. With joy, we light three candles on our wreath today as we get ever closer to Christmas Day.
May we, your people, who look forward to the birthday of Christ on Christmas, experience the joy of salvation and celebrate that feast with love and thanksgiving. We ask this through Christ our Lord. AMEN.
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