Gaudete in Domino semper! (Rejoice in the Lord always!)
Or. "Why do we light that pink candle today?"
Today, the Third Sunday of Advent, is known as "Gaudete" Sunday. Gaudete means "Rejoice!" In the gentle burning of the purple candles of the Advent wreath, we are reminded to not be overwhelmed by commercialism, but to prepare ourselves for the coming of Jesus. Today, we light the pink one, which fills us with joy, knowing that we are getting closer and closer to the coming of the Lord.
In Advent, we not only celebrate the first coming of our Lord, but eagerly prepare for His Second Coming as well, when the restoration of all things takes place. Too often, many of us shudder at the thought of our Lords coming in glory, as if it were a frightening event. It certainly will be for those who knowingly rejected Jesus. But for Christians who persevere it will be our great deliverance from the troubles and trials of this world. All of the world will bend the knee, some in terror, but as for God's friends, they will bend the knee in joyful adoration as Jesus takes His place as King. How beautiful and exciting that will be calls us to rejoice.
The earliest Christians cried "Maranatha Come Lord Jesus!" They not only expected Jesus to come at any moment, they earnestly desired his coming. So it should be for us. If we believed Jesus was truly coming back tomorrow, how important would the commercial trappings of the season seem? In the same way, if we want the Lord to return tomorrow, we can feel the beginnings of the true joy of Christmas.
Let us then place ourselves on the hillsides with the shepherds, in the silent chill, with patient anticipation of the promise of the angel. Let us be silhouetted in the brightness of the Christmas star, with the Wise Men from the East. Then may we meditate on being in that stable, with the smell of straw, animals, and a beautiful Newborn, Who is our hope. We can let our burdens drop away at the foot of the manger when He smiles at us. We can receive Him into our arms and hearts, as Mary holds Him out to us, as the gentle Joseph looks on. This Child is our victory. REJOICE!