Third Sunday of Advent ‘B’

The third Sunday of Advent is called “Rejoice Sunday.” To remind ourselves that we are preparing for the very joyful occasion of the birth of Jesus, we light the rose candle, and the priest may wear rose vestments. The common theme of the day’s Scripture readings is one of joy and encouragement. The readings urge us to make the preparations required from us as we await the rebirth of Jesus in our hearts and lives. Holy Scripture reminds us that the coming of Jesus: past, present and future, is the reason for our rejoicing.

The First Reading tells us that we should rejoice because the promised Messiah is coming as our Savior to save us by liberating us from our bondages.

In today’s Responsorial Psalm, Mary exclaims: "My soul glorifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior."

Saint Paul, in the Second Reading, advises us to “rejoice always” by leading a blameless, holy and thankful lives guided by the Holy Spirit, because Christ is faithful in his promise that He will come again to reward us.

Today’s Gospel tells us that John the Baptist came as a witness who would testify to the Light, Jesus, and that the coming of Jesus the Light into the world is the cause for our rejoicing because He removes the darkness of sin from the world. We have an additional reason to rejoice because, like John the Baptist, we, too, are chosen to bear witness to Christ Jesus, the Light of the world. It is our duty to fill our lives with Christ’s Light so that we may radiate it and shed light in the dark lives of others around us through sharing love, overflowing mercy, unconditional forgiveness and humble service.