The Third Week of Advent

Gaudete Sunday

Gaudete Sunday serves as encouragement to withstand the remainder of the season. Like Lent, Advent is a penitential period, and Lent has a similar day called Laetare Sunday. On both of these Sundays, you could see your priest dressed in rose (pink).

The Third candle

This week, we light the rose candle. The colour rose represents joy, which is what we reflect upon this week. The third candle is the Shepherd Candle. When the angel appeared to the shepherds in Luke 2, he said, “I bring you good news is great joy.” The shepherds ran to find Jesus and told everyone about Him (Luke 2:18)

The joy of knowing the Lord should touch us in the same way! Tell people about Jesus. Now is the perfect time. The Western world is immersed in the holiday season. Which Holy Day are we referencing? The feast of Christ’s birth, of course. He truly is the reason for the season. Be a witness, invite your neighbour to church, mimicking the urgency of the shepherds.

The Last Things

This week, we ponder heaven. What is the criterion to be found worthy of eternal life? Those who choose God will be given witness by God Himself for entry to heaven. Jesus is the judge and the witness and ultimately the one who served the sentence for us all to enter eternal life. We must be found worthy by being believers (Eph 1:13-14), we must be baptized for the remission of sins (1 Pet 3:21), and we must be in good standing with the Lord (1 Cor 9:24-27, James 2:14-26). Heaven is eternal, so being sure we are ready for His coming and our particular judgment is important. Confession is an essential part of preparing for judgment to be worthy of being in God’s glory for eternity. What expectations He has for us in this short portion of our existence is so monumental, why waste our lives in pursuit of Earthly happiness and success? God wants us to be with Him for eternity, so be close to Him now to ensure it forever.