3rd Sunday of Advent
“Make a straight way for the Lord.” John 1:23
Liturgical colour: Rose
For grown-ups
This is Gaudete Sunday, the Sunday of joy. Isaiah speaks of a God who brings good news to the poor and clothes His people in gladness, Mary’s song says “My soul rejoices in my God,” and St Paul tells us to be joyful always and to give thanks. In the Gospel, John says he is only a voice, pointing to the One who stands among us, even when we don’t recognise Him.
Joy at home is rarely loud or expensive. It is the gratitude we practise at the table, the laughter at bedtime, a song sung off-key in the kitchen. Like John, parents get to point their children toward Jesus, mostly by being glad people themselves. This week, notice the small gifts already in your family and say thank you for them out loud, so that your children learn that joy is something we receive and share.
Dinner-table questions
- What makes you feel really happy inside?
- What is something you are thankful for today?
- How can we show other people that Jesus makes us happy?
This Sunday’s readings
- First reading
- Isaiah 61:1–2a, 10–11
- Psalm
- Luke 1:46–50, 53–54 (the Magnificat) — My soul rejoices in my God.
- Second reading
- 1 Thessalonians 5:16–24
- Gospel
- John 1:6–8, 19–28