Today, on Gaudete Sunday, we light the rose candle the Shepherd’s Candle.

Unlike the purple candles of repentance, this flame represents uncontainable joy.

♦

Make room for Joy.

In the middle of the holiday hustle, lists, and shopping, the Third Sunday of Advent invites us to hit the pause button. Today is about Gaudete—joy. True joy isn’t found in a perfectly wrapped gift or a finished to-do list. It’s found in the quiet moments of anticipation. It is the warmth of presence —
of something good drawing near, even if you can’t name it yet.