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Gospel for the Third Sunday of Advent

December 13, 2026 · John 1:6-8, 19-28

John, witness to the light

It is the Sunday of joy. John the Baptist says that he is not the light: he comes to testify to Jesus. John 1:6-8, 19-28

Liturgical color: violet (rosado donde se acostumbre)

This Sunday’s Gospel, in everyday words

God sent a man named John. John 1:6

John came as a witness, to testify to the light. He was not the light. John 1:7-8

From Jerusalem, priests and Levites were sent to ask him who he was. John 1:19

John said clearly that he was not the Christ, the Messiah. John 1:20

They asked him if he was Elijah or the Prophet. He said no. John 1:21

When they pressed him, he said that he was the voice crying out in the desert: make straight the way of the Lord. John 1:22-23

The men who were sent were Pharisees. They asked him why he baptized if he was not the Christ. John 1:24-25

John answered that he baptized with water, but that there was one among them whom they did not know. John 1:26

He said that he was not worthy even to untie the strap of his sandal. John 1:27

This happened in Bethany, across the Jordan River, where John was baptizing. John 1:28

What the Bible says

John 1:6-8, 19-28

6There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7This man came for a witness, to give testimony of the light, that all men might believe through him. 8He was not the light, but was to give testimony of the light. 19And this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent from Jerusalem priests and Levites to him, to ask him: Who art thou? 20And he confessed, and did not deny: and he confessed: I am not the Christ. 21And they asked him: What then? Art thou Elias? And he said: I am not. Art thou the prophet? And he answered: No. 22They said therefore unto him: Who art thou, that we may give an answer to them that sent us? What sayest thou of thyself? 23He said: I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Isaias. 24And they that were sent, were of the Pharisees. 25And they asked him, and said to him: Why then dost thou baptize, if thou be not Christ, nor Elias, nor the prophet? 26John answered them, saying: I baptize with water; but there hath stood one in the midst of you, whom you know not. 27The same is he that shall come after me, who is preferred before me: the latchet of whose shoe I am not worthy to loose. 28These things were done in Bethania, beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.

The other readings at Mass

First Reading

The Spirit of the Lord sends the prophet to bring good news to the poor. His soul rejoices in God. Isaiah 61:1-2a, 10-11

Responsorial Psalm

Instead of a psalm, we sing with Mary: my soul proclaims the Lord and rejoices in God. Luke 1:46-50, 53-54

Second Reading

Paul asks us to rejoice always, to pray without ceasing, and to give thanks to God in all things. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

The full readings for this day, from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops: bible.usccb.org

What the Church teaches

John, the witness

John is more than a prophet. He is the voice that announces that the Consoler is already coming.

Catechism 719

“Gaudete” Sunday

Gaudete means “Rejoice.” Where it is the custom, the priest may wear rose on this Sunday.

General Instruction of the Roman Missal 346

The Advent wreath

In many homes, one more candle is lit each Sunday. This Sunday three are lit.

Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy 98

To read with your children

God sent John to tell people about the light. John 1:6-7

John said that he was not the Messiah. John 1:20

He said that he was a voice asking people to prepare the way. John 1:23

John baptized with water in the Jordan River. John 1:26, 28

How can you tell others about Jesus?

To talk about as a family

  1. John did not make himself the important one: he pointed to Jesus. How can we do the same?
  2. Saint Paul asks us to rejoice always. What brings us joy as we wait for Jesus?
  3. For the child: who would you like to tell about Jesus?

This week

This week, every night, thank God for three good things from the day. That is how you live the joy of this Sunday.

To pray

Lord Jesus, like John, we want to be witnesses to your light. Fill us with joy as we wait for you, and teach us to give you thanks in all things. Amen.

Who is in it?