This Sunday is a special one in the Advent season. The Third Sunday is known as Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete comes from the Latin word “gaudete” which means to rejoice or be glad. Instead of focusing on more solemn preparation, the tone of this week shifts to joy for Christmas is so near. Joyful colors can be seen in the rose-colored candle lit this week and in the rose-colored vestment often worn by clergy at Mass this weekend.
The Entrance Antiphon this Sunday proclaims this sense of joy:
“Rejoice in the Lord always;
again I say, rejoice.
Indeed, the Lord is near”
(Philippians 4:4-5)
In our world of instant gratification, we are losing the art of joyful anticipation. We really hate to wait long for things; and when we do, we are often annoyed by the “waste of time.” Or when we think of anticipation, we are thinking of something we are dreading or fearing instead of something we are excitedly waiting for. Anticipation is an exercise of the soul and a good tool for building patience and genuine gratification. The anticipation of something is often the best part of the gift as we build excitement and expectations. Once we get the awaited thing, its specialness is sometimes lost. Therefore, allowing ourselves the time of anticipation can truly be a joy bringer!
The Light of the World is coming, and we can feel the anticipation in the air. We are getting closer to the day of giving to those we love and to the day of receiving the most profound gift of all – Jesus Christ.
Let us help to remember how long the people of God had to wait for the Messiah. We have been blessed with the Messiah coming over 2,000 years ago to save us from our sins. We also are blessed with His graces and gifts through the Church that enables us to live as people of the Messiah every day.
We must take time each year to rebuild that joyful anticipation, because we are a stubborn hearted people and forget the gifts we are given. To rejoice in God, we can feel great joy, delight in His love and care for us that carries us through the crosses of our lives.
We anticipate with joy the celebration of Jesus’ birth long ago as well as His Second Coming. We rejoice that we are known and loved by Jesus and that we have a special place in His family the Catholic Church.
Let us take time to bring joy and anticipation into our family life this week with these simple suggestions:
- Look for joy throughout your day
Smile more - Dance and sing together
- Plan or attend a fun family holiday outing
- Have a special hot cocoa night by the fireplace and make some memories
- Start or finish up the fun of wrapping the gifts
- Reread a previous blog on Six Ways to Intensify our Joy during Advent
May your family have a very blessed Advent season as you rejoice in the Lord!
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Author: Laura Stephens
