On this 3rd Sunday of Advent, on Gaudete Sunday,  we are reminded that this is a time of joy, not only because we are anticipating the celebration of the birth of Christ but because God is already in our midst (Emmanuel – God with us). More than anything, the presence of the Lord in our midst calls us to rejoice and “shout for joy”. However, the joy that we are being reminded of is not one of merriment but one of expectancy and anticipation of the second coming of the Lord.