The Advent Wreath
The Candle of Joy (Shepherd’s Candle)
The third Advent candle is the Candle of Joy, also known as the Shepherd’s Candle. It symbolises the joy that the shepherds felt at the announcement of Jesus’ birth. This candle is pink, representing the liturgical colour for joy, and the third Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete Sunday – Gaudete means rejoice.
Joy enters the hearts of those who put themselves at the service of the lowly and poor. God abides in those who love like this and their souls rejoice. If, instead, people make an idol of happiness, they lose their way and it is truly hard for them to find the joy of which Jesus speaks (https://www. vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/angelus/2007/documents/hf_ben- xvi_ang_20071216.html).
Joy, the deep-down awareness of what it means to live well, to live productively, to live righteously, is made out of self- giving, simplicity, and other-centeredness. … Good news of great joy, we learn at the beginning of the liturgical year, is what searching for the baby is all about. It’s how and where we’re searching that matters (Chittister, 2009, 71-72).
God of Joy,
As we light the Shepherd’s Candle,
help us to see the joy in our surroundings,
in the beauty of nature,
the laughter of children,
the impact of kindness,
and the special moments
with family and friends.
May this Advent season allow us
to recognise the happiness
in our world and
in our faith.
Amen..
Reflection:
How can we nurture true joy this Advent by serving the poor and loving others, rather than chasing fleeting happiness?
But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people”
(Luke 2:10).
