TODAY’S SCRIPTURE: Philippians 4:4-9

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

The pink JOY candle is lit on the third Sunday of Advent, called Gaudete Sunday. “Gaudate” means rejoice, and we do so because we realize that we are more than halfway through our Advent journey.

Joy comes in many different ways. It can be cause us to overflow with energy and want to “shout from the rooftops.” Or, it can be a peaceful happy feeling the is evident to others by our serene smile.

It can come to us from many courses — friends, family, our children — but it ultimately is a gift from God. And as we celebrate the third Sunday of Advent we feel joy in knowing that we have found Salvation through Him.