Give with joy!

Third Sunday of Advent

Today’s candle in the Advent wreath is rose, and is a symbol of joy as we look forward to Christmas. It is called Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is a Latin word that means “rejoice.” We should take this opportunity to think of ways in which we can bring some joy to someone else who we know might be lonely or sick at this time.

The Gospel again presents John the Baptist, the crowds in the Gospel today specifically ask John the Baptist what they must do to show that they are ready to welcome the Messiah. What evidence of repentance is required? John tells them that it is not enough just to rely on their lineage as Israelites (the chosen people of God). Repentance should be visible in their actions. John’s words are just as important for us today. John tells them that they should share their food and cloaks, tax collectors should be just, soldiers should act fairly. Luke is emphasizing our need to prepare for the Messiah through our acts of repentance and by showing mercy towards others. 

When the crowd begin to wonder if John the Baptist might be the Messiah he makes it clear that he is not, and that he is merely preparing the way for the Messiah. “I baptise you with water, but someone is coming, who is more powerful than me, and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandals; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” John’s mission was to call the people of his time to a change of heart; to a new understanding of who they are and who God is. As we listen to the words of Luke’s Gospel today John the Baptist is calling us too. It is so easy to become distracted at this time of year with all the frantic preparations for Christmas. Today’s readings encourage us to try and not go away from God in our lives to make Jesus the centre of our lives.

Pope Francis encourages us as Catholics to reflect on whether we live our faith joyfully and if in fact we pass on this joy to others. Christian joy focuses on Jesus Christ and less on ourselves. We should ask the same question that the crowd asked John, “What must we do?” to prepare for the Messiah. Each one of us should do something however small to transform ourselves during Advent. It is a time when we open ourselves so that God can accomplish extraordinary acts through our ordinary human lives, through our relationships with people whom our society marginalises. It’s a good time to practise the 7 Corporal Works of Mercy. Feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, clothe the naked, shelter the homeless, visit the sick/imprisoned, give alms to the poor and bury the dead.

A reading from the Gospel of Luke (Lk 3:10-18)

The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?” He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He answered them, “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.” Soldiers also asked him, “And what is it that we should do?” He told them, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages.” Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming.

I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached good news to the people.

The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ

  1. Read the Gospel story so that you are familiar with it.
  2. Reflect on what the Gospel story is saying to you. Which points would you highlight and why?
  3. The Gospel reading speaks to our lives today, and focuses on the joy we have as followers of Christ. John tells us how we behave towards others is a measure of how deeply we have welcomed Jesus into our hearts. 
  4. Not only should we reflect on our actions (what we do), we are also invited to think about our attitudes and reasons for these actions, do I really practice genuine Christian generosity and kindness? Let’s joyfully share God’s gifts with others.   
  5. Together with your family find the right time to read this Gospel. The environment helps, so before you start, prepare;
    i. The Bible reading from St Luke (Lk 3: 10-18)
    ii. The Advent Wreath, today light the rose candle
    iii. Cover the table with a purplecloth
    iv. A computer/laptop with the reading and clips
  6. Go through the steps with your children (2 age groups are being suggested)
  7. Feel free to adapt to your situation
  8. Be creative 😊
  9. Go to the Prayer Corner section to continue praying as a family

On this third Sunday of Advent we praise God and sing for joy. We believe that Jesus is near and that God loves us. Lord help us to look forward to your birth with joy and thanksgiving. Today we light the rose coloured candle on the Advent wreath.

  • John the Baptist tells us that someone very powerful is coming.
  • That person is Jesus
  • Large heart printout
  • Colours and stickers for decoration
  • Craft card, scissors, glue
  • String/ribbon
Template large heartDownload

In the Gospel reading today we read that many people had heard John the Baptist preaching. He told them to repent (be sorry for) of their sins and be baptised so that they would be ready for the coming of the Messiah (another name for Jesus). Large crowds of people were coming to John to be baptised in the river Jordan, John said to them, “First do something to show that you are truly sorry for your sins.”

“What should we do?” the people asked. John tells them that they should look at their lives and see if they are being good and kind. John said to the people,” If you have two coats, give one to someone who doesn’t have one. If you have food, share it with someone else.” John was saying that they should stop thinking only of themselves and start thinking of those in need.

 Let’s think about how we show kindness toward others? Do you lose your temper quickly when you don’t get your own way? Or sometimes disobey your parents, teacher or catechist? 

Christmas will soon be here, how much thought have you given to what you can do to help others during this Christmas season? What are some of the ways in which we can show kindness? We could see if we have any unwanted toys or clothes which are still in good condition and give them to charity. Maybe you could make a phone call to someone you know who is lonely at this time, and cheer them up. Sharing what we have with others is the true spirit of Christmas, let’s spread the joy of the Christmas season with those around us.

Sign of the cross.

Come, Lord Jesus, fill us with joy and thanksgiving as we wait for your coming. Inspire us to share what we have so that all people may live a full and happy life. Amen

To prepare our hearts for Jesus’ birthday you can cut out the large heart and write in the centre PREPARING MY HEART FOR JESUS’ BIRTHDAY. Then you can decorate it and write the words ‘hope,’ ‘peace,’ ‘joy’ and ‘love’ to remind yourself of about the 4 Sundays in Advent. Then you may colour it or decorate it with stickers or glitter glue. Then glue it onto craft card, make a hole on top and thread string or ribbon through the hole so that you can hang it on the Christmas tree. Do this activity whilst listening to the song: Angels we have heard on high .  

Today we light the rose candle on the Advent wreath, it’s a symbol of joy as we look forward to Christmas. John the Baptist tells us how we can be ready to welcome Jesus into our hearts, how we can change our lives for the better and actively wait for His arrival.

  • John the Baptist teaches us to turn away from sin and to joyfully prepare our hearts for the coming of the Messiah
  • 2x Large and 1x small hearts template
  • Scissors/ glue
  • Craft card
  • Pencils /colours
Small heart templateDownload
Large heart templateDownload

Today is the third Sunday of Advent, and is called “Gaudete Sunday” which means rejoice. We rejoice in, the saving power of God and in the waiting for the coming of Christ Jesus.

The whole of the season of Advent focuses on the experience of waiting. We think about how the Israelites in the past waited for the promised Messiah. We think about how we are waiting for Jesus to come again in Glory (the future). We think about what we can do now (in the present) to actively wait for His arrival which we celebrate on 25th December each year. 

In today’s Gospel the people ask John the Baptist what they should be doing to prepare for the coming of Christ. John answered that if anyone has two tunics they should share with the person who has none. Anyone who has something to eat must do the same. To the tax collectors he says be just and to the soldiers he says be fair with others. These are specific actions which show a persons’ willingness to turn away from sin and follow Christ.

Often we have occasions that require us to wait for someone or something but each occasion is a different experience. For example, waiting for the bus is not the same as waiting for your best friend to come over to your house so that you can spend the day together. You might feel tired and impatient waiting for the bus to arrive, on the other hand you probably feel happy and excited waiting for your best friend to arrive.  Which kind of waiting experience is more like Advent? Waiting for the bus or waiting for your friend? I think waiting for a friend. That’s because it’s something joyful and something which we look forward to. 

During Advent there are things which we can do to actively wait for Christ’s arrival. We could share what we have with others such as unwanted clothes or toys which are still in good condition. We could be more helpful around the house especially if our parents are very busy. We could say an extra prayer before we go to bed or we could read a story from the Bible, but more importantly we should do these things joyfully!  

Sign of the cross.

Father, help us to prepare our hearts for the birth of our Saviour. Help us to remember those in need of food, shelter and clothing. Jesus himself taught us that when we do something to help those in need, it is the same as doing it for Him. Amen 

To help us this week to joyfully remember to share with others and prepare our hearts for Jesus’ birth you could make a ‘Heart Bank’.Print 2 copies of the large heart and one small hearts. Cut out all the hearts, stick one large heart on craft card to reinforce it. Cut out a rectangle from the centre of the second heart and glue it around the edges to the first heart, to make a letter box and leave it to dry. Once dry you can decorate it. On the small hearts write down the ways in which you are going to show Jesus that you are waiting for Him. For example, do a kind act in secret for some one. Be helpful at home. Spend extra time in prayer. Donate unwanted toys/clothes to needy families. Come up with your own ideas and when you have completed the task post it in the ‘Heart Bank’! You can also listen to the song: ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’.

Gospel in symbolsDownload

1. To the people who asked him what they should do to show their repentance, John answered them...

Correct! Wrong!

2. To the publicans, that is, the tax collectors, John told them ...

Correct! Wrong!

3. To the soldiers, John told them to ....

Correct! Wrong!

4. What did people ask John at the end of today's Gospel?

Correct! Wrong!

How to use this space

God speaks to us in many ways, including through the Sunday Scripture readings. Here you will find useful background and activities to better understand the upcoming Sunday's Scripture readings, helping you to connect the Scripture to daily life in a meaningful way.