Sunday 14 December 2008

Gaudete Sunday

This third Sunday of Advent is known as 'Gaudete Sunday', from the Latin meaning 'rejoice'. We are told to be joyful because the Lord is close to us - John the Baptist's words in todays Gospel seem particularly apt: "There stands among you - unknown to you - the One who will come after me" (John 1:26-27). The day is marked with a change of colour: the third candle on the Advent wreath stands out, being pink rather than the slightly more sombre puple, and the priest may wear rose (rather than purple) vestments on this day.