The third Sunday of Advent is often called "Gaudete Sunday." It is called such because of the entrance antiphon taken from the letter of Saint Paul to the Philippians which, in Latin, begins with the word "gaudete." In English, the antiphon sings: "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Indeed, the Lord is near" (Philippians 4:4-5).
Because today is, then, a day of rejoicing, Holy Mother Church pauses in her Advent penances; she sets aside her violet vestments today and dons vestments of rose (sadly, many "rose" vestments are, in reality, clearly "pink"). Rose is still a rather somber color - in comparison to, say, gold, but it is brighter than violet. This change of color, mirroring the color of the candle of the Advent wreath lit today, reminds us that although our preparation is not yet complete, we do well to rejoice today because the Lord is near.
With this in mind, I am happy to give you again this year Libera's performance of the great hymn, Gaudete:
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