Gaudete

Today is the Third Sunday of Advent and it is traditionally known as Gaudete Sunday. The word Gaudete means Rejoice and is taken from the the first word in an introit to the mass:

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice; let your forbearance be known to all, for the Lord is near at hand; have no anxiety about anything, but in all things, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. (Philippians 4:4-6).

In the midst of all the frantic activity of this time of year: end of term concerts and plays, the madness of Christmas shopping, trying to finish work projects before the break, preparations for worship over the Christmas season, and battling through the complexities of the Radio Times schedule, it’s good to be reminded that in the heart of Advent we are called to rejoice.

Thanks to Maggi Dawn for reminding me this morning that today is Gaudete Sunday. Coming from a more Evangelical tradition than some of my colleagues, this hadn’t really registered on my liturgical radar before.

To celebrate here’s my preferred version of a classic.