A Real 'Guady' Sunday
Fellow saints, loved by Jesus,
This Sunday is the Third Sunday in Advent, or as my kids like to call it: "Pink Candle Sunday!" Which begs the question: why is there one, lonely pink candle on the advent wreath? There are three violet (or blue) candles, but only one pink. Well, for starters, it's not pink. The color is technically called 'rose.' And did you know that rose is actually the color for two Sundays in the church year? (The other is the Fourth Sunday in Lent.)
To understand the significance of the color rose, you need to understand a couple other things first. Many of the Sundays throughout the church year are actually given specific names. We typically only refer to the number and season (e.g. third Sunday in Advent; Fourth Sunday of Easter, etc.). But historically, each one had a Latin name assigned to it. The name was taken from what was called the Introit, also Latin for "entrance." We normally begin each service with an opening hymn. That is somewhat of a modern innovation, however. In the past, the service would begin as the pastor entered the chapel walking up the aisle flanked by candle bearers and a crucifer who carried a crucifix. As he entered (remember: introit), he would chant or sing a Bible verse (usually a psalm) in Latin that encapsulated the theme of that day's service. The first word of whatever that Bible verse was became the nickname of that particular Sunday.
The name given to the Third Sunday in Advent is "Gaudete" (gow-DET-eh) which is the Latin word for "Rejoice!" It comes from the Introit verse assigned for this Sunday from Philippians 4:4 - "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" While we don't make use of the Introit at Prince of Peace (something we should try in the future), the word "Rejoice!" will be significant for us this week throughout the service.
Okay, so now you know the name of this Sunday but that still doesn't explain the single, rose candle. Well...
Many of you know that each season of the church year is also assigned a color. While blue (color of hope) has been associated with the season of Advent among Christians in general for quite some time, it's only been used within Lutheran churches since the late 1970's. Traditionally, however, the color for Advent (and Lent) has always been violet or purple, the color of royalty. Coincidentally, this appears to be the main reason Advent was changed from blue to purple, simply to distinguish the two seasons. But the two season are actually connected and marking them each with the same color was intentional. They are both seasons of preparation and times to repent.
Repentance is a somber activity and the dark violet color helped to communicate that aspect of the season. But in the middle of each penitential (violet) season, just for a Sunday (Advent 3 & Lent 4), the color lightens to rose. Why? Because even in the midst of our dark, somber focus, we are always enlightened to rejoice. On this Sunday our mood lightens and, for a moment, the somber tone gives way to joy and the color of the day lightens to reflect that.
So why rose (pink) this Sunday? Because it's Guadete (Rejoice!) Sunday and as we look back to celebrate our newborn King and ahead to welcome His return, we do so in repentance and faith. We rejoice knowing that He comes bringing salvation and deliverance. And so, just for a Sunday, the dark, somber violet fades to light and joyful rose.
While we don't have rose-colored vestments or banners (I'm looking into getting some but they're expensive to only use twice a year!), we do have the candle and now you know why. So come check out something that only happens once or twice a year this Sunday! More importantly, come meet your Savior, who comes to you in Word and Sacrament every week, in promises and proclamation, to forgive, comfort, uplift and sustain you. May the Lord richly bless you and yours this weekend.
In Christ,
Pastor Bater