As we arrive at the Third Sunday of Advent—Gaudete Sunday—the Church’s liturgy takes on a different colour and tone. The rose candle is lit, symbolizing a gentle but unmistakable shift from sober waiting to joyful expectation. The Entrance Antiphon rings out boldly: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near.” Hence, we are called to be joyful. But, “how do we rejoice when there is so much unrest around us?”

Nigeria today continues to face insecurity, economic pressure, uncertainty, and a heaviness that weighs on the shoulders of ordinary people. Many wake each day hoping for relief, peace, or even just a reason to smile, yet those become hard to come by. For many Nigerians today, joy can feel like a luxury. With the rising cost of living, insecurity across communities, uncertainty in governance, and the daily struggle to make ends meet, rejoicing might seem unrealistic. People are tired. Families feel stretched. Many are anxious about the future.

So, why does the Church still say, “Rejoice in the Lord always”? Christian joy is not a denial of reality but a decision to see reality through God’s promise. It is precisely into these hard and difficult times that Gaudete Sunday speaks most powerfully. Dear reader, Rejoice! Christian joy, which we speak of is not built on perfect conditions, stable economies, or peaceful streets. It is anchored in one unshakeable truth: Christ is coming.

This Joy is rooted in Christ, not circumstances: Gaudete Sunday reminds us that our joy is not the fragile emotion that depends on daily headlines. It is a deep and steady confidence that God is near – closer than the troubles that threaten to overwhelm us. The coming of Christ at Christmas is God’s declaration that He enters human history not from a distance but from within. He comes to a world troubled by political tension, fear, and violence – very much like ours. He comes as Light in darkness, Hope in despair, and Peace in turbulence. This is why the Church dares to proclaim joy even in difficult times: because God has not abandoned us, because God still walks with His people, and because His presence transforms even the harshest realities.

Nigeria needs this message now more than ever. To rejoice today is not to pretend that all is well; rather, it is to courageously affirm that our story is not finished and that God is still writing the final chapter. St. Paul’s command, “Rejoice in the Lord always,” becomes an act of resistance against despair. It is a declaration that fear will not define us, and darkness will not swallow our hope. Nigeria needs Christians who carry this kind of joy – quiet, steady, hopeful joy that does not ignore problems but refuses to give up. Hence, joy becomes a form of courage. It keeps us from falling into bitterness or despair. It reminds us that Emmanuel – God with us – walks with this nation through every valley.

Christ Our Joy: As Christmas draws near, we look to the manger and find the reason for our confidence: The baby Jesus was born into a troubled world, yet He brought peace that the world could not give. His presence changed everything then, and it can change everything now—in our homes, our workplaces, our streets, and our hearts. This is the joy that Gaudete Sunday invites us into: a joy that rises above unrest, a joy that gives strength to the weary, a joy that reassures us that Emmanuel – God with us – is already at the door.

In this holy season, we are called to bring joy into our homes through forgiveness and tenderness; bring joy into our communities through compassion and encouragement; carry joy in our hearts by trusting that Christ’s coming is our peace, our hope, and our confidence. This Gaudete Sunday, let us embrace the joy the Lord offers – not the joy the world gives, but the joy that springs from His nearness. For if He is coming – and He surely is – then no trouble, no unrest, and no darkness can extinguish our hope.

Gaudete! Rejoice! The Lord is near.