The third week of Advent is a special time in the Christian liturgical calendar, marked by a focus on joy. The traditional name for the third Sunday is Gaudete Sunday: Joyful Sunday. This we light the rose-colored candle on the Advent wreath, known as the “Shepherd’s Candle.” The Advent wreath consists of four candles arranged in a circle, with a fifth candle in the center. Each candle has its own meaning:

1. First Candle (Hope): Also known as the “Prophet’s Candle,” symbolizes the hope and anticipation of the coming Messiah.
2. Second Candle (Peace): Known as the “Bethlehem Candle,”  the peace that Christ brings to the world.
3. Third Candle (Joy): The “Shepherd’s Candle,” which is rose or pink, symbolizes joy.
4. Fourth Candle (Love): The “Angel’s Candle,” represents the love of God.
5. Fifth Candle (Christ Candle): Often white, is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to signify the birth of Jesus.

This Christmas season, we will decorate the church with due joyousness and memorialize loved ones with flowers. The flowers are a sign of our joy in the birth of Christ our Savior.

To memorialize a loved one with flowers for the Church: go to stcharlesbklyn.org/christmasflowers or use the envelopes available in the back of the church.

In the Catholic tradition, the second week of Advent is a time of patient reflection and anticipation, marked by the lighting of the second purple candle on the Advent wreath, known as the Bethlehem Candle or the Peace Candle. This candle symbolizes peace and commemorates Mary and Joseph’s journey to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born.

The Advent wreath, with its four candles, is a central symbol of the Advent season. Each candle represents a different aspect of the spiritual preparation for the coming of Christ. The first candle, the Prophet’s Candle, symbolizes hope. The second candle, the Bethlehem Candle, focuses on peace. This candle reminds us of the peace that Jesus brings to the world, a peace that surpasses all understanding.