2021-Dec-12: Third Sunday of Advent
2021 Third Sunday of Advent Third Sunday of Advent, also known as the Gaudete Sunday . Named after the phrase ' Gaudete in domino semper ' (“Rejoice in the Lord always”, Philippians 4:4-5). On this joyous Sunday, we light the pink candle, so that we may not lose sight of the delight of Christmas during the sombre penitent period of Advent. Joy to the world! The Lord has come. Zephaniah 3:14-18a Zephaniah prophesied during the reign of Israel's reforming King Josiah (640-609 BC), about 50 years after Isaiah and before Jeremiah. This is before the Babylonian exile when he spoke largely about judgement: The Day of the Lord, promises the prophet, “will be a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and devastation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness” (Zephaniah 1:15-16). But this verse is joyful and might be added after the return from exile to Babylon while waiting expectantly for the restoration of the Kingship of David. But of co...