Third Week of Advent

As I was looking for a picture for tonights' blog, I learned something new. The third Sunday in Advent is called Gaudette Sunday. I was raised Roman Catholic and yet this is something I never heard about before! 

So, here is the definition of Gaudette Sunday:
Gaudete Sunday is the name given to the 3rd Sunday of Advent. The name is taken from the words of the introit, Gaudete in Domino semper, "rejoice in the Lord always.The Scriptural basis comes from Philippians 4:4,5. Gaudete Sunday is a minor "break" from the more penitential nature of the Advent season, and signals a shift from a penitential style of waiting to a more joyful tone. Because of the more joyful tone of Gaudete Sunday, rose colored (pink) vestments may be used instead of the normal violet ones. Also, the rose colored Advent candle is lit.

Before we light another candle, stop and think for a moment, of what this is all about. As we light our candle, let's pray: Heavenly Father, we come to You tonight as we light yet another candle. Let us remember that light in the sky that proclaimed the birth of Your Son Jesus Christ. Your unending love for us brings brightness to our darkest days. Let your light forever shine within each one of us. I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Our reading for tonight finds us still in the Gospel of Luke and continuing story of the birth of Jesus Christ. We are in Luke 2:8-12.

"And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”

Every time I read this passage I can't help but hearing it in my head in the voice of Linus (from Charlie Brown).

I know if I were a shepherd in a field, at night, and some bright being came down from above, I sure as heck would be scared! In a way, it sounds like something out of "Close Encounters..." I'm sure those shepherds were saying to themselves "no one is ever going to believe this!!"

Have you ever experienced something that you knew no one would ever believe? How do you describe it? I can hear the conversation now! "Hey, I was out in the field watching over the sheep and this bright light came down and told me that some Savior was born!" Ok, time to break out the pretty white coats and the rubber room! lol

But they believed. They knew this was something special. This was no ordinary birth. And so they journeyed on to see the Christ Child. God kept His promise. Mary and Joseph trusted in God.