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Mass Propers for the Third Sunday of Advent
Entrance Antiphon, Phil 4:4-5:
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near.
Alleluia Verse, Is 61:1 (Lk 4:18):
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor.
Preface II of Advent:
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
through Christ our Lord.For all the oracles of the prophets foretold him,
the Virgin Mother longed for him
with love beyond all telling,
John the Baptist sang of his coming
and proclaimed his presence when he came.It is by his gift that already we rejoice
at the mystery of his Nativity,
so that he may find us watchful in prayer
and exultant in his praise.And so, with Angels and Archangels,
with Thrones and Dominions,
and with all the hosts and Powers of heaven,
we sing the hymn of your glory,
as without end we acclaim:
Communion Antiphon, Cf. Is 35:4:
Say to the faint of heart: Be strong and do not fear. Behold, our God will come, and he will save us.
"Rejoice: the Lord is nigh." As Christmas draws near, the Church emphasizes the joy which should be in our hearts over all that the birth of our Savior means for us. The great joy of Christians is to see the day drawing nigh when the Lord will come again in His glory to lead them into His kingdom. The oft-repeated Veni ("Come") of Advent is an echo not only of the prophets but also of the conclusion of the Apocalypse of St. John: "Come, Lord Jesus," the last words of the New Testament.
The Optional Memorial of St. Damasus I is superseded by the Third Sunday of Advent liturgy. Station Church Information >>>
Today is known as Gaudete Sunday. The term Gaudete refers to the first word of the Entrance Antiphon, "Rejoice." The celebrants have an option to wear rose-colored vestments to emphasize our joy that Christmas is near, and we also light the rose-colored candle on our Advent wreath.

Jesse Tree, Day 15 ~ Jesse
Jesse Tree Overview
Sunday Readings for the Third Sunday of Advent, Cycle A:
The First Reading is from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah 35:1-6, 10. Even if we took this prophecy of Isaiah as relating to the return from Babylon only, it would still be a source of consolation to us, and a reason for thanking our good God who, in this return of the Jews from Babylon, was preparing the way for the coming of his divine Son among us. The Exodus from Egypt in the 13th century, and the liberation from Babylon in the 6th, were big steps take by God on the road to our eternal liberation.
Meditation: Christ Even Now on the Way to Bethlehem
Evidently, in the mind of holy Church, neither the prophecy concerning Bethlehem Ephrata nor its fulfillment in the day of Caesar Augustus is to be considered merely a glorious divine disposition and achievement. No, the prophecy of Micheus is still being verified every day, but predominantly during the annual Advent season; for the selfsame incarnate eternal Son of God who journeyed to Bethlehem to be born there physically, now to the end of time comes to human souls as to spiritual Bethlehems, there to be born anew, again and again.
"Prepare ye the way of the Lord: Make straight in the wilderness His paths; Every valley shall be exalted; Every mountain and hill shall be made low; And the crooked shall be made straight; And the rough ways plain" (Is. 40:3, 4). Then shall you see the salvation of God!
—Excerpted from Our Way to the Father by Rev. Leo M. Krenz, S.J.
Third Sunday of Advent, Guadete Sunday,
Station with San Pietro in Vaticano (St. Peter's in the Vatican):
The Station is at St. Peter's in the Vatican. After the two great basilicas chosen for the first and for the second Sunday in Advent, we come to St. Peter's in the Vatican, a church which shares with the Lateran the chief feasts of the year. It was selected as the station for today, because on this Sunday occurred the final scrutiny or examination of those candidates preparing for the Ordinations usually held on Ember Saturday in December. The original basilica was built by Constantine in 323 over the place where St. Peter was buried.
St. Peter's Basilica Information
Rome Art Lover
For further information on the Station Churches, see The Stational Church.