The third Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete means “rejoice.” In a brief turn from the somber and penitential character of the other Sundays of the season, the focus here is on rejoicing in the coming Savior.
Still, in this week’s readings, God has plenty to warn his people about. He has had enough of their idolatry and complacency. All those who despise him, including those in Israel, will be destroyed. The seals will be opened, and terrible judgment will come upon the earth.
Where is the joy in all of this? For true believers, his divine judgment will make all as it should be. The valleys will be lifted up and the mountains made low. For the penitent, there is double comfort in the forgiveness earned by Christ. A stunning picture of what this will look like is revealed to John: a new heavens and a new earth, filled with believers from every people, alive forever, feasting and worshiping the Lamb. And on this side of heaven, we are connected to it. We feast with the saints at the communion rail. Our prayers ascend to heaven in real time.
So, our rejoicing this week should be anything but routine. In his grace, our Lord has told us what he will do, and he has given us a glimpse of how the story ends. We need not follow the worthless idols of this world that will be ground into the dust they are. We need not fear the calamity of this world, the judgment to come, or death itself. The Lamb reigns over all of it, and it is only a matter of time before he reveals what he has made new. Therefore, even in these dark days, we can repeat the Advent cry with great joy: Come, Lord Jesus!
