SUNDAY SERVICE

This is the third Sunday of Advent.  In the Catholic Church that I grew up in and in many Protestant religions, it was known as Gaudete Sunday.  Gaudete means joy or rejoicing.  All the readings today reflect that.

In the early days of the Church, Advent was a time of fasting as part of preparation.  Gaudete was a break in that fasting.  Today there is not much fasting going on but you will still find that one candle on the Advent wreath is rose colored instead of violet like the other three.  Violet is a color indicating mourning and repentance.  Rose signifies joy.

So be joyful today.  Take today to remind everyone that we are about to celebrate the coming of Christ. Christmas is coming.
*o*