Third Sunday in Advent: Rejoice (Oh Happy Day from the South African Youth Choir)

A pink candle is lit on the Thurd Sunday of Advent as a symbol of joy. In the Catholic tradition, the candle is is lit on Gaudete Sunday–named for the entrance antiphon for that Sunday’s Mass: “Rejoice (gaudete) in the Lord always, again I say, rejoice.” The joy is subdued, however, as the penitential violet of the other weeks lessens to rose as we move closer to Christmas. 

On this Third Sunday of Advent, I share a video of the South African Youth Choir singing a familiar song of joy, the 18th Century spiritual O Happy Day. The video was recorded live at Willowbridge Barnyard, Cape Town in June 2010, and uploaded by Charl van Heyningen. In keeping with the contemplative theme of Advent, this is a more mellow, yet joyous, version of the song (as compared to a more celebratory version from the Soweto Gospel Choir).