St. Joseph's Catholic Church

Rejoice, the Lord is Close at Hand

On this Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, the Church invites us to rejoice. The rose candle is lit to remind us that even in a season marked by repentance and quiet preparation, joy is not something we wait for at the end. Joy is already present because the Lord is near. Advent waiting is not idle or passive; it is active, hopeful waiting, the kind that believes something is growing even when we cannot see it. Like a farmer who plants seeds and trusts the hidden work of the soil, Advent calls us to trust that God is at work in the hidden places of our lives.

Joy begins to grow when we open our eyes to what God is already doing. We may be waiting for a big breakthrough, but God often moves in small, gentle ways—strengthening a heart that was weak, restoring someone who had lost hope, guiding us when we felt blind, lifting us when we were weary. If we look closely, grace is always blooming somewhere in the desert of our lives.

This week, let us carry the spirit of Gaudete Sunday into our daily lives. A simple act of kindness, a word of encouragement, a moment of forgiveness, or a small gesture of love can become a doorway for God’s joy to enter our hearts. These small actions prepare the way of the Lord more than we realize.

So today, as we move closer to Christmas, let your heart rest in the truth that God is near. Even in your waiting, Christ is coming. Even in your struggles, He is working. Even in your questions, He is faithful. Rejoice, for the Lord is close at hand, and His light is already shining in the quiet places of your life.