The Profound Gladness of Joy

This week marks the Third Sunday of Advent, bringing with it a beautiful and intentional shift in the overall mood of the season. After two weeks dedicated to quiet thought, preparation, and reflection, the tone dramatically brightens to the theme of Joy (in Greek: chara). This change serves as an encouragement for us, reminding everyone that the time of waiting is quickly drawing to a close.

This Sunday is famously known as Gaudete Sunday, a title that comes from the Latin word meaning “Rejoice!, a direct and powerful instruction for us to celebrate. This command to be joyful is taken directly from the opening Bible verse traditionally used for services, specifically the passage in Philippians 4:4, which tells us: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice.”

This moment gives us a vital spiritual lift, refocusing the entire season on the wonderful, triumphant hope of Christ’s arrival, which is now imminent.

The Shepherd’s Candle and Its Rose Colour

This Sunday is characterized by the lighting of the rose-coloured candle and a momentary, joyous break from the quieter, reflective purple of the first two weeks. The shift in colour and mood symbolizes the profound hope that the waiting is almost over; the focus shifts from looking ahead to realizing the coming of the Saviour is now truly near and warrants a spontaneous expression of delight.

We light the Rose or Pink Shepherd’s Candle to signify this joyous anticipation. The color itself is a symbol of rejoicing, and its use on Gaudete Sunday comes from an ancient tradition where the shift in mood was marked by priests wearing rose-colored vestments. This candle specifically recalls the good news delivered to the fields of Bethlehem.

As the shepherds watched in the darkness, the angel declared:

But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people:’ to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger”. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favours!”

(Luke 2:10-14)

The Source of True, Resilient Joy

In the season of Advent, we are called to embrace a Joy that is far deeper than temporary happiness or holiday cheer. Theological Joy is not temporary happiness based on favorable circumstances or what gifts we receive. It goes beyond the momentary delight that can be easily deterred by current trials or external pressures.

Instead, biblical Joy is a profound, resilient gladness and strength. It is an extreme happiness rooted in two certainties: 

  • God’s Presence: Joy is what we feel when we are lovingly exposed to the glory of our Creator. This is the central gift of Christmas: God approached us—Emmanuel, “God with us”—so that we could have abundant life. As Jesus himself promised:

I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

(John 15:11)

  • God’s Promises: Our Joy is rooted in the assurance of God’s absolute faithfulness and the certainty that his promises are fulfilled in the person of Jesus. It rests in things from God, such as salvation and righteousness. Joy is our strength because, as Nehemiah wrote:

Go your way, eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions of them to those for whom nothing is prepared, for this day is holy to our Lord, and do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.

(Nehemiah 8:10)

Joy as a Conscious Practice

Because this deep, resilient Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, it requires active cultivation. It is a conscious decision to focus on Christ’s presence rather than on the stress of the season. The spiritual discipline for this week is the expression of praise and gratitude. Even as we continue to wait for Christmas morning, the anticipation itself—knowing the end of the story is victory and light—should bring us Joy. We celebrate the blessings already present as we anticipate the ultimate blessing of Christ’s arrival.

Actionable Joy: Sharing the Good News

The shepherds’ reaction to receiving the good news was immediate: they hurried to find the baby, and then they went and shared the word. Our Advent Joy should similarly motivate us to actionable Joy. Having witnessed the imminent arrival of Christ, we are called to express and share our profound gladness with others through generosity and witness. This type of Joy is a gift from God that no person or circumstance can take away.

Look to Mary’s Example

For inspiration on cultivating this radical Joy, look to the Magnificat. Mary’s faith in God’s promise filled her with a spirit of radical Joy that we are called to embrace this week. She rejoiced not because her circumstances were easy, but because she recognized God’s faithfulness at work in her life.

The Joy Challenge

This week, commit to a conscious practice of gratitude. Start a “Gaudete Gratitude Jar”. 

Each day, take a moment to pause, reflect, and write down one thing that brings you profound, resilient gladness rooted in God’s presence, and place it in the jar. This simple, active way to cultivate praise and gratitude will help shift your focus from the pressures of the holiday rush to the abiding presence of Jesus Christ, the true source of all Joy.

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