This Third Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday; Gaudete is the Latin word meaning rejoice. Isaiah the prophet tells us that being joyful means having a deep sense of gratitude to God for calling us to be his people and for saving us from sin. Joy means having an abiding confidence in God’s care for us. Joy means living out of that inner peace and hope and integrity that only God can give. Joy is not a superficial happiness. Joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit and it means that we really believe that God makes all things turn out for the good for those who trust in him. Mary, the mother of Christ, spoke these classic words of joy when she was troubled and anxious about God’s invitation to bear the Savior of the world. She prayed “My soul rejoices in God my savior. The Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name.”