Third Sunday of Advent – December 13, 2026
“Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’  The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.”
- Psalm 126:2-3 -
He Has Done Great Things
Advent is a season of joy. We have parties, buy presents, and decorate. We make delicious feasts and sweets. We attend events filled with music and laughter. It is a joyful time. The third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday because it focuses on joy. “Gaudete” means “rejoice.” This is seen in our scriptures for this week. Isaiah talks about rejoicing in the Lord for all He has done. Paul tells the Thessalonians to rejoice always. John the Baptist announces the Good News. The psalmist sings about God restoring the fortunes of His people.
We get confused, though, because happiness is so closely tied to physical and material things. We try to make people with parties, presents, and decoration, but we often fail. Unfortunately, too many people are struggling and just can’t find happiness. They are worried about money, illness, or loneliness. The world tries to make us think all these things will make us happy, but John the Baptist reminds us that we aren’t meant to be chasing happiness as our Advent journey leads us toward Christmas. The joy of this Sunday isn’t the same as happiness.
It is said that laughter is the best medicine. I think that may be true, but even more so, joyful laughter shows the world the condition of your heart. When we know the joy of the Lord, it is impossible not to laugh. When we do, the world sees that God has done a great thing for us. Joy comes from the Lord, and when we know He loves us, we feel the joy of His salvation. When we praise God for His goodness, the nations see His mercy and His grace. The psalmist recognized that the great works of God in and through His people reveal His presence in this world. They remembered that they were God’s chosen people, they rejoiced because the grace of God was greater than the struggles of their days, and they laughed.

Third Sunday of Advent – December 13, 2026
“Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’  The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad.”
- Psalm 126:2-3 -
He Has Done Great Things
Advent is a season of joy. We have parties, buy presents, and decorate. We make delicious feasts and sweets. We attend events filled with music and laughter. It is a joyful time. The third Sunday of Advent is called Gaudete Sunday because it focuses on joy. “Gaudete” means “rejoice.” This is seen in our scriptures for this week. Isaiah talks about rejoicing in the Lord for all He has done. Paul tells the Thessalonians to rejoice always. John the Baptist announces the Good News. The psalmist sings about God restoring the fortunes of His people.
We get confused, though, because happiness is so closely tied to physical and material things. We try to make people with parties, presents, and decoration, but we often fail. Unfortunately, too many people are struggling and just can’t find happiness. They are worried about money, illness, or loneliness. The world tries to make us think all these things will make us happy, but John the Baptist reminds us that we aren’t meant to be chasing happiness as our Advent journey leads us toward Christmas. The joy of this Sunday isn’t the same as happiness.
It is said that laughter is the best medicine. I think that may be true, but even more so, joyful laughter shows the world the condition of your heart. When we know the joy of the Lord, it is impossible not to laugh. When we do, the world sees that God has done a great thing for us. Joy comes from the Lord, and when we know He loves us, we feel the joy of His salvation. When we praise God for His goodness, the nations see His mercy and His grace. The psalmist recognized that the great works of God in and through His people reveal His presence in this world. They remembered that they were God’s chosen people, they rejoiced because the grace of God was greater than the struggles of their days, and they laughed.