The Third Sunday of Advent is called "Gaudete Sunday." The word Gaudete is a Latin verb meaning "to rejoice." On this Sunday, the rose-colored candle is lit on the Advent Wreath. Rose-colored vestments appear alongside the violet colors of the season. On the color spectrum, rose is a softening of violet. It is a "whitening" of violet. It anticipates the white color of the Christmas liturgy, two weeks away.

The progression of liturgical colors teaches us something of the spirituality of the Christian: We joyfully prepare to celebrate the humble birth of the Savior in Bethlehem. We confidently await Christ's ultimate triumph over every darkness at the end of time. And, day by day, we anticipate Christ coming to us in varied and unexpected ways. To be Christian is to allow oneself to be colored by hope.