Theme For The Day: Joy and anticipation concerning what God was about to do. Isaiah promises the oil of gladness (Isaiah 61:3) as God brings the captives of Israel back to their homeland. In Thessalonians, Paul charges the church always to rejoice (v. 16). In the Gospel, John delineates his message as pointing to the One who was to follow him: the One who would be much greater than he. All of these messengers were filled with a sense of joyful expectancy.

The third Sunday in Advent has in some traditions been known as "Rejoice Sunday," with the rose candle in the Advent wreath representing the believers' attitude of joy as we watch for Christ's coming. The theme of rejoicing comes clearly through the first two lessons.

In the medieval church this third Sunday in Advent was known as "Mini…