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The past two Sundays, the dominant liturgical color has been violet for the Advent season. Today, it is rose for Gaudete Sunday. “Gaudete” is a Latin word meaning “rejoice,” and rose is a bright and beautiful color of rejoicing for this Third Sunday of Advent, since we are more than halfway through our journey to Christmas. But, did some people not get the memo? Because for many it seems that Christmas has already come. Outside of church there is no violet and rose, but red and green (and I’m not just talking about chile!). There is Christmas music on the radio and in the stores, and Christmas specials on television and streaming on the internet. Our homes and communities are decorated. Stores have been decked out in Christmas décor for weeks. The rejoicing has begun. So, why Gaudete Sunday now?
First, Gaudete Sunday affirms the value of rejoicing. In today’s First Reading (Isaiah 61:12a,1011) Isaiah rejoices heartily in the Lord, who is the joy of his soul. In the Responsorial, we acclaim together with the Blessed Virgin Mary, “My soul rejoices in my God.” In the Second Reading (1 Thessalonians 5:1624) St. Paul encourages the Thessalonians to “rejoice always and do not quench the Spirit.” The rejoicing we are experiencing and sharing with others is a good and holy thing. We can give thanks for the gift of family and friends, even if we must remain distant from them during the pandemic.
Second, Gaudete Sunday gives us reasons for rejoicing. Isaiah rejoices as he brings glad tidings of God’s vindication for his people. Mary rejoices in the fulfillment of God’s promise to send a Messiah. John the Baptist cries out in the desert to “prepare the way of the Lord.” Paul rejoices as God prepares his people for the return of the Risen Lord. Through Isaiah, Mary, John, and Paul, God gives hope to his people waiting for redemption. Given this hope, they (we) can wait with rejoicing. We are God’s people today, rejoicing in what God has already accomplished, and waiting for what will be accomplished through his Son Jesus. The hope God gives prepares our hearts and makes straight the way for Christ.
Finally, Gaudete Sunday means that Advent waiting is joyful and hopeful waiting for Christmas and more. Often, on December 26th, the Christmas music on the radio stops, the decorations in the stores come down, replaced by Valentine’s Day promotions, and the Christmas trees get thrown to the curb (or hopefully, the recycling center).
For some people, there is actually a postholiday depression that sets in. But for the Church the celebration goes on. Our Advent rejoicing becomes Christmas rejoicing up to the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord on January 10th this year. Rejoicing carries us into the new year, and new celebrations of God’s redeeming work.
No matter what the colors of the season violet, rose, red, or green every time we hear God’s Word and celebrate the Eucharist, we do so with rejoicing. Through the grace of Word and Sacrament, our Lord sustains us in joyful hope, not only for Advent and Christmas, but for every season of the year as we await the coming of his Kingdom. The past year has been very stressful in so many ways, not least of which has been the financial hardships, physical suffering and loss of life associated with the COVID19 virus. But we can still find reason for hope and joy in the promises of Christ. As we begin the final two weeks before Christmas, let us be mindful that “Jesus is the reason for the season,” and glorify our Lord in all that we do to celebrate the holidays.
