The name comes from the Latin word gaudete which means “rejoice”.
The Third Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday because of the opening word of the Introit, the Antiphon in the Roman Gradual.
Gaudete is taken from the Latin language translation of the Letter to the Philippians Chapter 4 verse 4. This sets the tone for the joyful expectation of Jesus’s birth and for this Second Coming at the end of time.
Similarly, Laetare Sunday does the same thing during Lent- its sets the tone of joyful anticipation for us all.
The Advent focus now moves to the great celebration of the Incarnation or the embodiment of God in Jesus.
The traditional Christmas Carols have been written for Church and amplify the meaning of the incarnation, whereas the commercial Christmas songs talk about snow and gifts instead.
Hymns like Hark the Herald Angels Sing, O, Come all ye Faithful, What Child is this? and Mary’s boy child? pick up on the importance of the festival we are preparing for. They proclaim the meaning of the festival.
Last Tuesday and Monday the Unity Singers opened the Christmas season for us with their choral evening and I was struck by the depth of good theology in the many of the carols.
Fr Joe Grayland