3rd Sunday of Advent 2025: December 14, 2025

We continue our Advent journey with joy as we light the third candle of the Advent wreath. This Sunday is traditionally known as “Gaudete Sunday,” which comes from the Latin word meaning “rejoice.” We celebrate this midpoint of Advent with a spirit of joyful anticipation as we approach the celebration of Christ’s birth. Join us for the 3rd Sunday of Advent in 2025!

Join us for worship in the way that suits you best! You can worship with us in person, via Live Stream, through Video Replay, or as a Podcast.

If You Cannot Join Us In Person for the 3rd Sunday of Advent 2025!

We understand that you cannot always join us in person; that is why we offer our livestreams and replays, along with a podcast.

Live Stream & Playback

The live stream starts at 8:50 am with an organ prelude, and the service begins at 9:00 am.

Podcast

Did you know that we are available on all major platforms? Our podcast covers everything from the opening hymn to the sharing of the peace.

The Collect for the 3rd Sunday of Advent 2025

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

The Readings for the 3rd Sunday of Advent 2025

Old Testament: Isaiah 35:1-10

1 The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus 2 it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God.

3 Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. 4 Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.”

5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; 6 then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; 7 the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, the grass shall become reeds and rushes.

8 A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God’s people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray. 9 No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. 10 And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Psalm 146:4-9

4 Happy are they who have the God of Jacob for their help! whose hope is in the Lord their God;

5 Who made heaven and earth, the seas, and all that is in them; who keeps his promise for ever;

6 Who gives justice to those who are oppressed, and food to those who hunger.

7 The Lord sets the prisoners free; the Lord opens the eyes of the blind; the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down;

8 The Lord loves the righteous; the Lord cares for the stranger; he sustains the orphan and widow, but frustrates the way of the wicked.

9 The Lord shall reign for ever, your God, O Zion, throughout all generations. Hallelujah!

The Epistle: James 5:7-10

7 Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9 Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! 10 As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.

The Gospel: Matthew 11:2-11

2 When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” 4 Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. 6 And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”

7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ 11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”

Reflection on the Readings for the 3rd Sunday of Advent 2025

Join us as we look at the readings for this Sunday!

Old Testament – Isaiah 35:1-10

Isaiah paints a vivid picture of transformation and restoration. The prophet describes how the wilderness will blossom, and the desert will overflow with joy. This passage offers hope to the weary and fearful, promising that God Himself will come to save them. The imagery of physical healing, the blind seeing, the deaf hearing, and the lame leaping, highlights God’s comprehensive restoration. Isaiah envisions a Holy Way where the redeemed will travel safely to Zion, filled with everlasting joy and freed from sorrow and sighing.

Psalm 146:4-9

This psalm highlights God as the creator and sustainer who remains faithful forever. It emphasizes God’s nature as one who brings justice to the oppressed, feeds the hungry, frees prisoners, and opens the eyes of the blind. The psalm also underscores God’s special care for the vulnerable, including the stranger, the orphan, and the widow. True happiness comes from placing our hope in the God of Jacob, who actively works to lift the downtrodden and whose reign extends through all generations.

Epistle – James 5:7-10

James calls for patient endurance as we await the Lord’s return. Using the metaphor of a farmer waiting for crops to ripen through seasons of rain, he reminds us that spiritual maturity requires time and patience. He warns against grumbling and urges believers to strengthen their hearts, knowing that the Lord’s coming is near. The prophets serve as examples of faithful endurance through suffering, demonstrating how to remain steadfast while speaking God’s truth.

Gospel – Matthew 11:2-11

Even John the Baptist, imprisoned and in doubt, sent disciples to ask Jesus whether he was truly the Messiah. Instead of simply answering yes or no, Jesus pointed to the evidence of his ministry—the very signs that Isaiah had prophesied were coming to pass. The blind see, the lame walk, the dead are raised, and the poor hear the good news. Jesus then praised John as the greatest prophet, but noted that even the least in God’s kingdom is greater. This highlights the transformative power of the kingdom he is establishing.

The central theme of these readings is joyful expectation rooted in God’s faithfulness. We are called to practice patience and hope—not as passive waiting, but as active trust in God’s promises. The signs of God’s kingdom are already emerging in our world through acts of healing, justice, and restoration. As we light the third candle of Advent, we celebrate that Christ is coming and already at work transforming our wilderness into a garden of hope.