Third Sunday of Advent

Advent Prayer

Father in heaven, our hearts desire the warmth of your love and our minds are searching for the light of your Word. Increase our longing for Christ our Savior and give us the strength to grow in love, that the dawn of his coming may find us rejoicing in his presence and welcoming the light of his truth. We ask this in the name of Jesus the Lord. Amen.

Brothers and sisters: Rejoice in the Lord always.I shall say it again: rejoice!
Philippians 4:4

Reflection:
Rejoice, rejoice and be glad for our Lord is coming. There is a lot of joy in today's readings. We have in the first reading a way to let our joy shine, by singing with joy. It resonates from our souls the joy we sing. How a song becomes radiant when we are joyful in our hearts.

In the second reading we are to rejoice in the Lord always, and a blessing it is to do so. When we love God with all our hearts, minds, souls and body we have joy. We do acts of kindness without thought to ourselves. We joyfully rejoice and proclaim the coming birth of our Lord. We joyfully proclaim his undying love for all the world.

Just as we sing praises of those we love, we do so out of faithfulness and loyalty to a God who has done great things for us. Long before our family and friends have been around, God has always been here for us. Rejoice, for his love is great. Rejoice for all the good he has done for you. Rejoice for the life he has given us. Rejoice, rejoice for our Lord will be born to save us. Let the joy in our hearts this Advent season welcome the Christ child. Let the joy shine brightly for all we come near to see.

Let this season of Advent bring us closer to a loving God, who wants nothing more than our love and fidelity. God Bless