REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS

                The Third Sunday of Advent is named Gaudete Sunday. It is a day of joy in the midst of our spiritual preparations for Christmas. This begins the second part of Advent in which we experience a heightened sense of the joyful expectation of Christmas.

                The celebration of Christmas is coming quickly and is the cause for rejoicing. Christ whose birth we celebrate is known as the Joy of the World. The Third Sunday of Advent means that we are that much closer to Christmas and the celebration of Christ. Advent is nearing its end and the Church calls us to rejoice in the life of Christ within us.

                During the Advent Season we remember that Christ has become human to show us what life can and should be. The season of Advent brings us the vision of life and hope for the future. It is our time to become more involved, more caught up in the meaning and the possibilities of life as a Christian community.

                The pace of the world around us begins to pick up speed in these last days leading up to Christmas Day. It is hard not to get caught up in all the excitement and frantic activity. Yet, Advent still calls us to prepare not only physically but also spiritually to celebrate Christmas Day.

                One way to prepare ourselves for the celebration of Christmas is to pause and reflect on what is taking place in this celebration. Next Sunday, December 22nd at 6:00 p.m. our choir will present Lessons and Carols, a reflection on the Nativity as foretold by the Old Testament prophets and narrated by the Gospel writers. Please join us in our final preparations for Christmas as we celebrate in scripture and song.