Advent Week 3: Enjoy & Name

“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!’”

Luke 2:14, NRSV

Throughout this Advent season, we are reminded to turn our attention to the Lord. Advent is a season of waiting and reflection. As we come closer to Christmas, we can rejoice in all that God has given us. God wants us to have a personal relationship with Him: through devotion, adoration, and conversation.

At learning about the birth of Christ, the shepherds witnessed the angels glorifying God. We, as those created in the image of God (Gen 1:26), are also invited to glorify Him. When we glorify God, we turn our eyes to Him and recognize all that He has done for us. We can glorify God by enjoying and naming all that He has given us.

In the Advent wreath, you may have noticed that one of the candles is pink! There are three purple candles, 1 pink candle, and traditionally 1 white candle in the center to be lit on Christmas day. So, why is one candle pink?

The pink candle is lit on the third Sunday in Advent. This Sunday is called Gaudete Sunday, which is latin for “joy”. This Sunday is a reminder that the birth of Christ is near, and we are joyfully anticipating the birth of Jesus!1

This third week of Advent, I invite you to joyfully anticipate the birth of Christ by also enjoying and naming all you are grateful for. In the United States, yes we just named all we were grateful for around Thanksgiving! Yet, this is a practice that should not be seasonal. We are invited to be grateful always.

St. Paul wrote in his first letter to the Thessalonians, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thes 5:16-17).

I pray that this third week of Advent is joyful and full of thanks as we prepare for Christ’s birth.

In Christ,

Lauren

1 “What Is Gaudete Sunday?,” Catholic Extension Society, December 8, 2020, https://www.catholicextension.org/stories/what-is-gaudete-sunday/.

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Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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