Third Advent: light the pink candle of joy!

The Christmas angels sang a joyful message!

Luke 2:  7-15: “…And there were shepherds camping in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord came to them, and the glory of the Lord shone brightly around them, and they were very frightened.  But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord....

There are 4 Advent candles. Three are either deep purple, or royal blue, which are the colours of monarchs.   We experience the Advent of a King! Deep purple or royal blue reminds us of a King that was born, a King that reigns to our benefit and for our salvation. A King that will return in glory!

This, as the angels told the shepherds, is good news of great joy.

Joy is the principal emotion of the Advent Season. Joy fills our hearts and lives as a result of the hope, peace and love that Christ gives us as the Light of the world. We are so glad, because darkness fled before the Light, who is Jesus our Saviour. The prominent third, pink Advent candle testifies to this.

We share his light with the world through the joy we express during our festivities, because in the City of David a Saviour was born to us!  We bring light to a cold, despondent and selfish world by sharing the hope, peace and love of our Lord. This we do, as the angels did, with great joy.

Since earliest times pink represents the joy of Christ!

Even during Lent, one of the seven Lenten candles was pink since the days of the ancient church. Because the liberty his precious sufferings brought us, he is our deepest source of happiness and hope.  Even right in the middle of Lent, the pink candle reminded a repenting, mournful church that victory and resurrection would soon be celebrated.

So, even when we are amazed during Advent that God became a man, born of a woman, to become our conquering King, and even though it asked of him to temporarily lay down his divine glory for the sake of our salvation, and even though we may grieve over the fact that our sins made this sacrifice necessary, the overpowering experience of deliverance and redemption by God who was born as a Child, is that of pure joy. The gratefulness, thanksgiving and relief we experience, make us truly happy.

‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men and women on whom his favour rests.’ the angels sang.

Joy to the world, the Saviour reigns!    Let, earth receive her King!