Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord.
James 5:7
On Gaudete Sunday, we take a break from purple and put on rose. We light the third candle in our Advent wreath with joy, knowing that Advent is halfway over. Christmas will be here before we know it! The third candle represents joy, and “Gaudete” means joy. Remembering that Jesus Christ is on his way fills us with joy today as we continue to anticipate his coming.
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The second reading today reminds us to wait patiently for Christ’s coming. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement and grow anxious as we anticipate something. Knowing that Christmas is just around the corner is exciting, and wrapping presents, baking, and decorating brings us joy as we prepare for it. I recently spent an afternoon making Christmas wreaths with my mom and my aunt. As I continue to pray the St. Anthony Christmas Novena, and I continue to complete the 33 Days to Morning Glory Marian Consecration, I grow more joyful as I prepare my heart for Christ. Amidst this joy, we also stay patient. We wait patiently for December 25, a date that we already know, when we celebrate the Nativity, but only God knows when Christ will come again. We remain joyful as we prepare for this, and we stay patient, remembering that Christ will come according to God’s perfect timing.
Finals are over and I’m home for Christmas now! Praise God for a great semester. I can’t believe my next semester will be my last of undergrad, but for now I’ll enjoy this winter break. My prayer this winter is to continually place my trust in God, especially about the future, and I pray that you will do the same wherever you are in life.
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