Sunday, December 15, 2019

Gaudete! Gaudete!


Here for the third Sunday in Advent is "Gaudete" (Rejoice!) --- after the first word of the Mass introit --- as performed some years ago by the King's Singers. Not a bad way to begin the day.

Those who continue to follow the traditional church year will know that this is the Advent  Sunday we take a break in the contemplative approach to Christmas, celebrate a little and light the rose-colored candle on the Advent wreath.

The week forthcoming also will bring the longest night and winter solstice --- but after that light will reassert itself and the days will begin to lengthen, the original "reason" for this particular season. The solstice will occur in Iowa at 10:19 p.m. next Saturday, Dec. 21.

The refrain, "Gaudete, gaudete! Christus est natus ex Maria virgine, gaudete!" translates, "Rejoice, rejoice! Christ is born of the Virgin Mary – rejoice!"

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