Sermon for the Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) Old Catholic Church – Parish of Swindon

Rt Rev Dr. Mark Paris-Haines

Brothers and sisters in Christ,

Today, on the Third Sunday of Advent, the Church invites us to rejoice. We light the rose candle, and the tone of the season shifts—if only for a moment—from quiet expectation to joyful anticipation. This is why the day is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday, from the opening words of the epistle: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.”

But Christian joy is not shallow happiness, nor is it a denial of the world’s pain. It is something deeper, steadier, and more resilient. It is joy rooted in the nearness of God.

Saint Paul does not write to the Philippians from a place of comfort. He writes from prison. And yet he says, “Rejoice… The Lord is near.” This is the heart of Advent joy: not that everything is already as it should be, but that God is faithful, and God is coming to meet us.

A Joy That Changes How We Live

In the Gospel, John the Baptist stands by the River Jordan, preaching repentance. His words are sharp and unsettling. He does not offer easy comfort or vague spirituality. Instead, when the crowds ask, “What then should we do?” John gives them very practical answers.

To those with plenty, he says: share. To tax collectors: be honest.To soldiers: do not abuse your power; be content with what you have.

Notice what John does not say. He does not tell them to flee the world, or to wait passively for God to act. He tells them to live differently right where they are. Advent preparation is not about escaping ordinary life; it is about allowing God to transform it.

This is important for us here in Swindon, in our own parish community. Advent joy is not something we switch on for an hour on Sunday and then put away. It shapes how we speak to one another, how we treat those who are struggling, how we use our resources, and how we witness to Christ in a society often marked by anxiety and division.

The Nearness of God

The prophet Zephaniah proclaims: “The Lord, your God, is in your midst.” This is not a distant God, watching from afar, but a God who draws close—so close that, in Jesus, God takes on our flesh, our vulnerability, our human life.

For the Old Catholic tradition, this nearness of God is something we know not only in words but in sacrament. God comes to us in water and bread and wine, in the gathered community, in the shared ministry of all the baptised. Advent reminds us that Christ comes among us still especially where love is practiced, justice is sought, and mercy is shown.

This is why Paul can say, “Do not worry about anything.” He does not mean that life will suddenly become easy. He means that we do not face it alone. God’s peace, which surpasses all understanding, holds us even when circumstances remain difficult.

A Witness of Hope

John the Baptist points beyond himself. When people begin to wonder if he might be the Messiah, he quickly redirects them: “One who is more powerful than I is coming.” True Advent spirituality is always outward-looking. It refuses to make the faith about personal importance or religious status. Instead, it points to Christ.

In a world that often equates power with domination, John speaks of a Messiah who will baptise with the Holy Spirit and fire—fire that refines, purifies, and gives light. This is the fire of God’s love, which burns away injustice and fear, and kindles hope.

As a parish, we are called to be bearers of that hope. Not through grand gestures, but through faithful presence: welcoming the stranger, caring for the vulnerable, praying for peace, and living the Gospel with integrity and humility.

Rejoice, for the Lord Is Near

So today, we rejoice not because Advent is nearly over, but because God is already at work among us. We rejoice because Christ comes to meet us in our waiting, our questions, and even our doubts. We rejoice because God’s promise is stronger than our uncertainty.

May this Advent joy steady our hearts, open our hands, and sharpen our love. And as we continue our journey toward Christmas, may we live as people who truly believe what we proclaim today:

The Lord is near.

Amen.