This Sunday is the Third Sunday of Advent. Christians the world over celebrate Advent as “the coming of Christ at the Incarnation;” basically, advent means “coming into being.” There are four Sundays celebrated during Advent; Typically, Sundays between Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.

Many Christian churches and families mark Advent celebration with an Advent wreath, which holds four candles evenly spaced on the wreath’s circle with a “Christ Candle” placed in the center of the circle. Typically, the candles are purple, with the third candle being Pink, for the Third Sunday in Advent. The Pink candle is known as the “Candle of Joy,” or “The Shepherd’s Candle.”

In our church, members of the congregation, typically a family—but sometimes other volunteers—lead a lighting ceremony during morning worship to light the candles in designated order. Recently our student Interns led that ritual, with great meaning. Sometimes, when a family leads that part of worship, we get an extra chuckle, and even a special poignant moment—when a child breaks forth in unexpected insight.

That the “Shepherd’s Candle” means Joy can have important significance in mid-December; schedules have become crowded, expectations—especially among little children—have kicked up a few notches, and weather, over which we have no control, just may have thrown a monkey wrench into everything. Joy is on no-one’s radar. Joy is the redeemer. Come to think about it. We’re celebrating the coming of The Redeemer! In times of tension, we’re often counseled to “Pause. Breath deeply. Let your soul re-set.” I think this is the message of the candle of Joy.

Sometimes life, or circumstances force us to do just that. Pause. Reset. It may be broken leg on the way to a crucial meeting, a flat tire on a back road out of reach of AAA, or just plain stomach flu. Whatever; it screeches you to a halt, and if you’re wise, you pause, reflect, reconnoiter, and take a new lease on life.

Sometimes I am able to experience joy by reflecting deeply on life, friends, and nature. At other times joy comes slipping up on me like Millie’s little white cat=feet, as she cuddles in my lap. I hope you find joy, not just as the Shepherd’s candle is lighted, but also in the accord of your daily doings.

©Copyright Willis H. Moore 2025