Gaudete Sunday - Rejoice!!

Today is the third Sunday of Advent; it is called Gaudete Sunday, and it is my favorite non-Christmas/Easter day to attend mass! The priest wears pink, we light the pink candle, and the penitential mood is lifted a bit. Gaudete means Rejoice! and is a Sunday to celebrate that Christ's {second} coming is near!

Gaudete Sunday gets it's name from the various antiphons at today's mass:

Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete. Modestia vestra nota sit omnibus hominibus: Dominus enim prope est. Nihil solliciti sitis: sed in omni oratione petitiones vestræ innotescant apud Deum. Benedixisti Domine terram tuam: avertisti captivitatem Jacob. This may be translated as "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Let your forbearance be known to all, for the Lord is near at hand; have no anxiety about anything, but in all things, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. Lord, you have blessed your land; you have turned away the captivity of Jacob." (Philippians 4:4–6; Psalm 85 (84):2). (quoted from wikipedia)

I hope that you reflect on those scriptures. I think, especially at this time of year, we should all focus on the "have no anxiety about anything..." part. Do not worry, but put your hope and faith in the Lord. Give thanks to Him for the light in our life.

 I hope that you enjoy the day!! Christmas is near :-)

Love this carol!