3rd Sunday of Advent Year A

3rd Sunday of Advent – Gaudete Sunday (Rejoicing Sunday)

Today, we celebrate the 3rd Sunday of Advent. The third sunday of Advent is also known as Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is the Latin word that means “rejoice”. To rejoice on this 3^rd Sunday of Advent, we light the third candle. The 3rd Candle is a rose color candle. Because it is the combination of the color purple (signifying Advent) and white (for Christmas). The 3rd candle is a reminder of the halfway mark in the Advent Journey. The Messiah is coming, and its cause for rejoicing. “Come, Lord Jesus.”

Homily:

Sometimes I often wonder why do people say: “Happy Holidays” instead of “Merry Christmas.” Perhaps they don't want to offend anyone. So they use a generic, all-inclusive greeting. Some people would use both “Happy Holidays” and “Merry Christmas”, so that they could be politically correct.

Some radical Christians would say: “Keep Christ in Christmas.” So they would be firm in their belief. Some would choose not to buy greeting cards that has: “Happy Holidays”. They choose not to use a card that has an image of Frosty the Snow Man, or Santa Claus, or a snow flake, or a Christmas tree ornament.

They would rather use a card that has the image of the Manger, or the Angels announcing the good news to the Shepherds of the field, or the Holy Family, or the three Magis or some form of religious depictions.

Even some choose not to purchase wrapping paper, or bags that has “Happy Holidays” on it. Or they wouldn't even go to a store or restaurant, that uses the generic greeting, and omit “Merry Christmas.” Mainly because they are trying to keep Christ in Christmas.

One of the teachings of the Church has to do with what is called “Doctrine of Incarnation.”

If we go back to the Old Testament, the Prophet Isaiah says in 7:14: “Therefore, the Lord himself will give you this sign: the virgin shall be with child, and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.”

Similarly, in the Gospel of Matthew, at the birth of Christ, it is written: “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel” which means “God is with us.”

These passages affirm the doctrine of Incarnation. God took on human flesh. It's like the Angelus prayer when we pray: “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.”

Some ancient heresies did not believe in the doctrine of Incarnation. For instance, Gnosticism did not believe that Christ was truly God. Docetism believed that Christ only appeared to be human. Arianism believed that Christ was created, and he wasn't truly God. Arianism thought that Christ was created by using the verse: “The Father is greater than I.” They would say: “There was a time when he was not.”

The problems with denying the doctrine of Incarnation is twofold. First, if Christ was not truly God, then he wouldn't be able be the Savior. Secondly, if Christ was not truly human, then he couldn't redeem humanity.

But there are hybrid versions of those heresies today, that deny the Doctrine of Incarnation. For instance, some people would say that I have the utmost respect for Christ, but as a wise teacher or prophet. That's a hybrid version of Arianism, which denies the true divinity of Christ.

The Doctrine of Incarnation points out that Christ is actually the Son of God, and consubstantial to God the Father. When we profess the faith by saying the Nicene Creed, in the back of our mind, we are affirming the Doctrine of Incarnation. At the same time, we are saying no to Gnositicism, no to Docetism, no to Arianism. We are saying Yes to the Doctrine of Incarnation.

Keep in mind that when you are exposed to these kinds of generic greetings, it may be a hybrid form denying the doctrine of Incarnation. And you may do that without even knowing that you are doing that.

Perhaps, if you have the courage, and if someone says to you: “Happy Holidays” or some generic greeting, you could respond: “Happy Doctrine of Incarnation” or “Happy Incarnation.”

The Gospel today tells us about John the Baptist. John, as you know, is like a surgeon that doesn't use anesthetic. He will fix you up, and make things right, but it won't be very pleasant.

Even the Lord remarked about John the Baptizer: “What did you go out to the desert to see? A reed swayed by the wind?” John the Baptist is a firm believer in the coming Messiah. He's not overly concerned about being politically correct, because he is more concerned about preparing people for the Messiah's coming. “Repent, because the Kingdom of God is at hand.”

Christmas is coming in a few weeks. And I want you to think about the Doctrine of Incarnation. Do you believe in that teaching? How will you demonstrate that belief? Are you a reed being swayed by the wind, or are you a firm believer like John the Baptist, preparing your soul and helping others believe in the Doctrine of Incarnation.

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel” which means “God is with us.”