Third Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday, focuses our attention on the spirit of rejoicing.We rejoice in our heart because Christmas is near. The prophet Zephaniah, centuries before the birth of Christ, calls God’s people to prepare for the coming of “the King of Israel, the Lord!” He tells the nation of Israel to rejoice and sing songs that God is in their midst. God has come, God is in their midst – “Rejoice, exult with all your heart,” (Zeph 3: 14-18).
In the Gospel reading, John the Baptist preaches good news to the people of his time and they are filled with joyful anticipation for God is near. In the midst of all our hardships, struggles, anxieties, sorrow, loneliness, illness, heartache, personal hurts, despair, and guilt, He is near and we shall see the salvation of Godwhen we turn to Him.
Always remember, even though we are facing a lot of crosses in our lives but at the end they produce joyful results. If we know that Jesus is the reason for our joy, He will indeed act for our own benefit, our own good.
“Sing and shout for joy for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 12).
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