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The Halfway Point

By Marcy Stenstrom

      The third Sunday of advent is called Gaudete Sunday. We light the rose (pink) candle on the wreath at this time to signify the halfway point as we draw nearer to Christmas. This is reason to rejoice (a.k.a: gaudete) as amid our busy and sacrificial preparation we are closer to the birth of Christ.

      The advent wreath traditionally symbolizes the time from Adam and Eve up until Christ’s birth or four thousand years. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops website, usccb.org, states that each of the four candles represents one thousand years for a total of four thousand. 

      “The purple candles represent prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices and good works done at this time. The progressive lighting of the candles symbolizes the expectation and hope surrounding our Lord’s first coming into the world and the anticipation of His second coming to judge the living and the dead.” (usccb.org, “Advent Wreath”) For more detailed information regarding the history, tradition, or prayers of the advent wreath, check out the usccb.org website. 

      We normally don’t think of penance in association with the advent wreath but it is one of the things we traditionally and sacramentally prepare for as we await the coming of Jesus as infant. We are called to reflect, just as in the 40 days of lent, to purge ourselves of our shame and inequities so that we might feel the love and purity that God desires for us in His presence. As we approach Christmas, we do indeed rejoice once we’ve taken part in the sacrament of reconciliation and can fill ourselves with the goodness and peace of Christ knowing that He came into the world for us all without condition. Participating in the sacrament now is just one simple way to clear the path of debris and make way for Jesus to enter our hearts and our homes.

      The USCCB website also has a wonderful online advent calendar. Click on the day and the “door” opens to reveal a list of readings, prayers, and reflections as suggestions to prepare us for Christmas. These activities are aimed more at adults but with a little creativity it would not be difficult to include children of any age.

      At this halfway point, we find ourselves doing last-minute shopping, cooking, baking, or decorating but stopping and taking the time to fill ourselves with Christ will make the coming days more peaceful, relaxing and enjoyable. And today, we can truly rejoice in His coming.