People keep asking me about why there is a pink candle in the Advent wreath. And lots of people are confused when it turns out to be the candle lighted on the third Sunday of Advent; most figure it is the last one. Or the first one. But not the third one. And why pink??? What’s up with that?
Well, it goes back before the middle ages, when the third Sunday of Advent was celebrated as Gaudete Sunday, Latin for “Joy” Sunday. The Scripture lessons in the Lectionary tend to include words like “joy,” and “rejoice” and “exult.” Many traditions use Mary’s world-overturning joy in what we now call the “Magnificat,” named because she starts, “My soul magnifies the Lord.” And the introit to Roman Catholic Mass this week begins with “Rejoice!” (Or in Latin: “Gaudete!”) It corresponds to Laetare Sunday at mid-Lent, which also refrains on “Joy” in the middle of the penitential season and also often uses rose for vestments and paraments.
Most liturgies for Advent and for lighting the four candles on the wreath use variations on peace, hope, joy, and love, but while the other ones may move around depending on the congregation, we all observe Joy Sunday on the third week. Incidentally, although the season of Advent is attested in the fourth century as preparation for Jesus’ birth, the wreath traces back to 16th century Lutherans in Germany (home of the Christmas tree, too) but quickly was adopted by protestants and Catholics and enjoyed something a renaissance in the US in the 60s and 70s to become our beloved custom.
So why pink? OK, the liturgy geeks point out that it is actually a rose candle, but low-church Presbyterian Ashby keeps calling it pink! Well, it began informally as an option in the Anglican tradition to the four purple candles, as a reference to rose being the color on Laertare Sunday in Lent. Purple is the color of royalty in anticipation of the King of Kings and the color of penance in preparation for our Savior. Blue for advent became more common in Lutheran circles and in Anglican/Episcopalian circles in the last few decades, largely to distinguish Advent from the more sober Lenten violet. And, to be honest, I believe many churches use blue candles for the other Sundays because it looks good! And certainly, the striking blue quilted pulpit and lectern hangings and communion table cloth totally rock in our sanctuary!
Spread some joy this week. Be sure to come to church this week to enjoy (!) the sounds of the Ithaca College Brass in worship and the joyful pink candle as it is lit by a church family. Further, I hope you will invite your family, friends, and even acquaintances to our Christmas Eve candlelight worships (family service at 6 pm and traditional service at 8:30 pm). Let the light of Christ shine!
In the Joy of Christmas,
David
Texts For Sunday Worship:
From the Hebrew Bible Isaiah 35:1-10
From the Epistles James 5:7-10
From the Gospels Matthew 11:2-11
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