The third Sunday in Advent shifts from a tone of expectation of Christ’s coming to one of rejoicing at the arrival of God’s kingdom with the coming of Jesus. The theme for the third Sunday of Advent is Joy. On this Sunday we light the pink candle, and our clergy wear pink vestments. Yes, men can wear pink! The
pink expresses the joy we feel at the coming of Jesus as a baby, at Christmas, which is only ten days away.
Saint Pope John Paul II instituted a beautiful tradition, Bambinelli Sunday during his papacy. On this Sunday at all the masses, at the end of each mass we will bless all the baby Jesus figures that people bring to mass. Then we suggest that you take the baby Jesus figures home and wrap them up and on Christmas morning, when you open the package, place Jesus in the manger of your Nativity Set.
Advent is a time of preparation, hope, penance, and joy. When Advent began on December 1, we started to look forward to Christmas Day, when we gather for Mass and family celebrations to share the joy of
Christmas. We cannot live without hope for the future, something to live for, something to look forward to.
Parents and grandparents may hope that their children and family members will renew their faith during this season and start to attend Mass again. Please pray for that during the next ten days and throughout the season of Advent and Christmas.
Celebrating Advent and Christmas together is a great time to invite loved ones to come with you to Mass and to spend some quality time together as a family. May the next 10 days and the Christmas Season be a blessing for all of you and your families.