How Christian Joy Lifts the Mind and Heart

Gaudete Sunday, the Third Sunday of Advent, breaks into the season of waiting with a burst of rose-coloured joy. Its name — Gaudete, meaning “Rejoice” — echoes St. Paul’s exhortation: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near” (Phil 4:4–5). This joyful proclamation reveals that Christian joy is not a fleeting feeling but a gift that grounds our well-being in the nearness of God.

Joy Rooted in God’s Nearness

Advent assures us that God is not distant or indifferent. He is compassionate, merciful, and close to His people. He walks with us in our struggles and guides us with love. This awareness brings a deep peace and a steady joy that circumstances cannot take away. Gaudete Sunday highlights this truth beautifully. In a world often filled with worry and uncertainty, it reminds us that joy is God’s gift to us — not something we earn. It does not require perfect conditions. It begins quietly, as a gentle confidence that God is near and His promises are unfolding even now.

Joy That Sustains Us in the Waiting

Gaudete Sunday teaches that joy is not the opposite of waiting — it sustains us as we wait. The rose candle lit this Sunday symbolizes that God’s light is already breaking into our world, even if not yet fully visible. Christ comes not only into Bethlehem but into the very places where we feel anxious, weary, or uncertain. This joy does not deny suffering. Instead, it transforms how we move through it. Joy grounded in Christ enables us to say, “Even here, even now, God is working.”

Joy That Endures Through Trials

Christian joy can coexist with hardship because it is rooted in love — the love of Christ who became man and draws near to us. This enduring joy explains why saints and martyrs remained peaceful and compassionate even in times of great suffering. Their joy was not shallow or forced; it flowed from the certainty of God’s presence. This same joy is available to us today, offering strength when life becomes challenging.

Mary, Model of Joyful Trust

Mary shows us what true Christian joy looks like. When the angel greeted her, “Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you!” she responded with faith and openness, welcoming God’s plan. Her joy was born of trust. She teaches us that joy grows wherever Christ is welcomed with humility and hope.

Joy That Multiplies When Shared

Christian joy naturally reaches outward. When we share joy through kindness, prayer, and compassion, it multiplies. Like the children who bring Baby Jesus figurines to be blessed and pray for others, we discover that joy deepens when offered as a gift.

A Path to Renewed Well-Being

Christian joy strengthens our faith, steadies our emotions, and brings peace to our relationships. In a world burdened by stress and fear, the joy of Christ reminds us that we are not alone — the Lord is near.

As we continue through Advent, may Gaudete Sunday’s message echo in our hearts: Christ is coming, His light is growing, and His joy is our strength.

Gaudete! Rejoice! The Lord is near.

Fr Jude Mukoro, MBACP, FHEA (Reflection on Gaudete Sunday, 2025).