Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near. Philippians 4:4-5

God, you see your people faithfully awaiting the feast of the Lord’s birth.

  Grant, we ask you, that we win through to the joy of that moment of salvation

  and eagerly celebrate it with solemn prayers and rejoicing.

Through Christ our Lord,

A M E N

GAUDETE SUNDAY

Third Sunday of Advent, so named from the opening antiphon of the Introit Gaudete in Domino semper (Rejoice in the Lord always). On this Sunday rose vestments are permitted in the Eucharistic liturgy. (Etym. Latin gaudete, rejoice.)