LIGHTING THE ROSE COLORED CANDLE AROUND THE ADVENT WREATH TODAY, WE ARE CALLED TO JOY AND GLADNESS...........

In our churches and homes on this 3rd Sunday of Advent, "Gaudete Sunday", we light the pink or rose colored candle around our Advent Wreath, brightening the light of Christ's Coming and summoning us to Rejoicing and Gladness in the Lord our God.  The Watchfulness, Anticipation, Unity, Hope, Readiness, Repentance, that has brought us to the midway point of this sacred season as Advent People, gives us the impetus to be filled with Joy, and Gladness, despite the challenges and hardships we face.  During this time of national and worldwide economic struggles and uncertainty, all of us can find in the Lord's Three-fold Coming.  We have cause to rejoice in the gift of Life, the grace of Faith, the fellowship of Family, Friends, Fellow Believers.  These are reasons for Gladness, that God is with Us,  enlightening our way by the Light of Jesus in Advent, to express and share the Joy He Brings.  Whatever obstacles you are contending with on this Rose colored Sunday of Advent, let the Light of Gladness and Joy in the Lord God wash over you and be fortified in Faith that the Anointed One, the Messiah, the Savior, Jesus The Christ, will bring us from Advent rose colored Light to Eternal Life...........Fr.  Troy