Today we celebrate the Third Sunday of Advent, also known as “Gaudete” Sunday from the Latin gaudere meaning “to rejoice.” In the midst of our waiting and expecting, the Church reminds us to rejoice. Although, like Lent, Advent is a penitential season, we are called to rejoice. Why? Because of what the season is pointing us towards — Christ. We rejoice because God took on human flesh 2000 years ago; we rejoice because Jesus will come again as the Lord of all and Judge of the living and dead at His Second Coming; and we rejoice because God draws near to us at this very moment.