3rd Sunday of Advent, December 15th - The Fire of His Love - Pastor Vieth - Luke

This sermon for the Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, calls us to rejoice in the Lord always. It reminds us that true joy is not fleeting but comes from the deep, internal connection where Christ dwells within us. This joy transcends superficial happiness and taps into eternal peace and divine presence. However, sin, wounds, addictions, and distractions often obstruct the path to this joy. St. John the Baptist’s message of repentance challenges us to let Jesus purify us through His baptism of the Holy Spirit and fire. This purification is painful yet necessary to burn away pride, fear, and falsehoods that lead to despair. It clears the path for Christ to dwell anew in our hearts, offering forgiveness, healing, and restoration. The result of this transformation is the fire of Christ’s love burning within us, compelling us to spread warmth, generosity, and compassion to others.