Have you noted that in the Advent wreath we have three purple candles and one rose candle? Do you know the meaning of the rose candle? When is it lit? To answer these questions, we need to remember the meaning of this wonderful season of the Catholic Church. The word Advent means coming. Therefore, Advent is a time to prepare ourselves to celebrate the Nativity of the Lord (Christmas), and for the second coming of the Lord. Each candle of the Advent wreath indicates that the great celebration of Christmas is near, and we need to continue to prepare the way for the second coming of the Lord.
We have lit two purple candles so far. This Sunday, the third Sunday of Advent, is called “Gaudete Sunday,” and we light the rose candle. “Gaudete” is a Latin word for “Rejoice.” Hence, the Church is inviting us to be happy, rejoicing because the great celebration of Christmas and the coming of the Lord is almost here, but we need to wait a little bit more in this “Gaudete Sunday.” This celebration is a reminder that God, who loves us very much, is still in charge, and that we await His coming not with fear,
but with tremendous joy. Rose is the color of joy in Advent. Hence, we do not only light the rose candle, but also the priest wears the rose vestment.
St. Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, says, “Brothers and sisters: Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). The readings, the rose candle and vestment, the music… everything in liturgy is a constant invitation to rejoice because the coming of the Lord is near. Let us rejoice always because the Lord is with us, loves us, and cares for us. Let us share this joy that all of us feel for the coming of the Lord with our brothers, sisters, families, schoolmates, classmates, coworkers, and even with people who we do not know. Let us prepare the Christmas celebrations with faith, love, and joy for the coming of the Lord.
Let us pray:
O God, who see how your people faithfully await the feast of the Lord’s Nativity, enable us, we pray, to attain the joys of so great a salvation and to celebrate them always with solemn worship and glad rejoicing. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever
(Taken from the Roman Missal – Collect prayer of the third Sunday of Advent).
God bless you, and may the Blessed Virgin Mary be with you always!
Fr. George
