Weekly Greeting - December 12, 2025

Have you ever wondered why the candle that we light on the third Sunday of Advent is pink?

The early church approached the season of Advent the same way we approach the season of Lent — as a season of fasting, prayer, and preparation.  The liturgical color for seasons of preparation is purple (although we sometimes use blue in Advent).  Unlike the season of Lent which gets warmer and sunnier as it progresses, the season of Advent gets darker and colder.  So the early church decided to lighten things up a bit (literally) on the third Sunday of Advent as a reminder that Christmas is almost here — Jesus is coming!

In the Roman Catholic Church, the Mass for the third Sunday of Advent opens with Philippians 4:4

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice!

So when we light the pink candle on Sunday remember to rejoice.  The Bread of Heaven is coming into the world!  He comes to fill us — and to fill the whole world — with good things!

Rejoicing with you,

Mary Beth

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