Third Sunday of Advent
Dear Friends,
Happy third Sunday of advent!
Advent is a time of waiting and anticipation for the birth of Jesus; the first two weeks have been focused on preparation. This Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, is marked by the pink candle on the advent wreath and is a joyful day. In Latin, Gaudete translates to “rejoice”; today is about the excitement, anticipation, and hope we feel as Christmas quickly approaches.
In today’s Gospel, we hear what Jesus has to say when the disciples of John the Baptist come to learn of his identity. When John baptized Jesus, he recognized him as “The Lamb of God”, acknowledging that Jesus was the messiah whose coming he had heralded. When John the Baptist’s disciples approach Jesus, they are told of his miracles, making it clear that he was bringing the power of God’s kingdom to Earth.
Jesus’ time on Earth gives us an example of how to live, teaches us what is important, and shows us a glimpse of God’s love. The miracles Jesus performed were reflections of the goodness, love, and healing He would spread on Earth, gracing us with a glimpse into God’s kingdom. This third Sunday of Advent is a moment of joyful anticipation that, with Jesus’s coming, the Kingdom of God is at hand.
As Jesus entered this world as a baby he was not born into a palace, but into a life of simplicity and poverty. He entered the world as a baby, dependent on Mary and Joseph, sharing in their human emotions and experiences. Although he had the wisdom and insight of God, he also experienced the full depth of human emotion. It is comforting to know that the God of the universe, who holds our entire existence in his hands, has also experienced our humanity and understands the deepest longings of our hearts.
The season of Advent is about preparing for Jesus, and this Sunday we should rejoice! We are not waiting in anxiousness and worry, but in the expectant hope that our savior is on the way. Instead of getting caught up in the chaos of the season, let us take some time to feel the excitement that comes from knowing Jesus is near.
Claire Kiernan
Drexel Undergrad