This third Sunday of Advent, we again hear about John the Baptist calling out to the people to prepare a way for the Lord. This painting circa 1780 is by Anton Raphael Mengs, listen to this short video to learn more about this painting.
The third Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudate - Joyful Sunday which is why the priest wears pink vestments. Instead of a Psalm, we have a Canticle - Song of praise which is Mary's song of praise from Luke's Gospel. This Canticle of Mary is known as the Magnificat and is used in morning prayer of the Church. For a simple musical version.
Canticle Luke 1:46-48, 49-50, 53-54
My soul rejoices in my God.
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looked upon his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looked upon his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,