Gaudete!

The third Sunday is called Gaudete Sunday, which means Rejoice! We are rejoicing because we roughly halfway through our waiting for the Savior. Of course, the only time it is exactly halfway is when Christmas falls on a Sunday, and since this year it is on Tuesday, we are well over halfway.

Today we light the pink candle in the Advent Wreath, the priest has the option of wearing rose vestments instead of purple, and ours did. This was the first reading.

Shout for joy, O daughter Zion!
Sing joyfully, O Israel!
Be glad and exult with all your heart,
O daughter Jerusalem!
The LORD has removed the judgment against you
he has turned away your enemies;
the King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst,
you have no further misfortune to fear.
On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem:
Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged!
The LORD, your God, is in your midst,
a mighty savior;
he will rejoice over you with gladness,
and renew you in his love,
he will sing joyfully because of you,
as one sings at festivals. Zephaniah 3:14-18a

And I can't resist posting this, even though it is really about Christ being already born.

AMDG