The Third Sunday of Advent [Gaudete Sunday] (B)

Themes & Motives: rejoice, joy, preparation, coming, glory, splendor, John the Baptist

Introit:
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near.  Philippians 4:4-5 [Roman Missal (Sacramentary)]

Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete: modestia vestra nota sit omnibus hominibus: Dominus prope est. Nihil solliciti sitis: sed in omni oratione petitiones vestrae innotescant apud Deum.
Ps. Benedixisti, Domine, terram tuam: avertisti captivitatem Iacob. [Graduale Romanum, p.21]

Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete: modestia vestra nota sit omnibus hominibus: Dominus prope est. Nihil solliciti sitis: sed in omni oratione petitiones vestrae innotescant apud Deum.
Ps. Benedixisti, Domine, terram tuam: avertisti captivitatem Iacob. [Gregorian Missal, p.165]

Choose one Antiphona ad introitum and Psalmus from either of the two Masses for Advent [Graduale simplex, pp.53-63]

Opening Prayer:
Lord God,
may we, your people,
who look forward to the birthday of Christ
experience the joy of salvation
and celebrate that feast with love and thanksgiving.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Lectionary Readings:

• Isaiah 61:1-2a,10-11 [Iwill rejoice greatly in the Lord. /v.10]
• [Psalm] Luke 1:46-48 / 49-50 / 53-54 [R. My soul rejoices in my God. /Is 61:10b]
• I Thessalonians 5:16-24 [Rejoice always...at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. /v.16,23]
• Gospel Verse: Isaiah 61:1 [The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor]
• John 1:6-8,19-28 [Among you stands One whom you do not know. /v.26]

Prayer over the Gifts:
Lord,
may the gift we offer in faith and love
be a continual sacrifice in your honor
and truly become our eucharist and our salvation.
Grant this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Preface for Advent I: [The Two Comings of Christ]
Father, all-powerful and ever-living God,
we do well always and everywhere to give you thanks
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

When he humbled himself to come among us as a man,
he fulfilled the plan you formed long ago
and opened for us the way to salvation.

Now we watch for the day,
hoping that the salvation promised us will be ours
when Christ our Lord will come again in his glory.

And so, with all the choirs of angels in heaven
we proclaim your glory
and join in their unending hymn of praise:

  Holy, holy, holy Lord...

Communion Antiphon:
Say to the anxious: be strong and fear not, our God will come to save us.  Based on Isaiah 35:4 [Roman Missal (Sacramentary)]

Dicite: Pusillanimes confortamini, et nolite timere: ecce Deus noster veniet, et salvabit nos.  See Isaiah 35:4 [Graduale Romanum, p.23]
     The Canticle of Isaiah [Is 35:1,2cd,2ef,3,5,6ab,7ab] can also be sung between repetitions of this antiphon.

Dicite: Pusillanimes confortamini, et nolite timere: ecce Deus noster veniet, et salvabit nos.  See Isaiah 35:4 [Gregorian Missal, p.179]

Choose one Antiphona ad communionem and Psalmus from either of the two Masses for Advent [Graduale simplex, pp.53-63]

Prayer after Communion:
God of mercy,
may this eucharist bring us your divine help,
free us from our sins,
and prepare us for the birthday of our Savior,
who is Lord for ever and ever. Amen.

Solemn Blessing:
You believe that the Son of God once came to us;
you look for him to come again.
May his coming bring you the light of his holiness
and his blessing bring you freedom. Amen.

May God make you steadfast in faith,
joyful in hope, and untiring in love
all the days of your life. Amen.

You rejoice that our Redeemer came to live with us as man.
When he comes again in glory,
may he reward you with endless life. Amen