The third Sunday of Advent is also known as Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete Sunday is a Day of Joy in the Church. Gaudete is a Latin word and means 'Rejoice!'
Mother Victoria Barlow, Vicar in the Halas Team, Halesowen, explains:
The name of Gaudete Sunday comes from the old entrance sentences for the start of the Holy Communion worship in the days when the mass was celebrated in Latin:
Gaudete in Domino semper.... 'Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Let your forbearance be known to all, for the Lord is near at hand; have no anxiety about anything, but in all things, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God.'
The first two weeks of Advent look forward to the final Coming of Christ, at the end of all times, in his Judgement to make all things new - to, as Mary tells us, lift up the lowly, and bring down the mighty. But on the third Sunday, the Rose Candle marks a shift in focus - we remember John the Baptist heralding the coming of Christ here among us, and our hearts turn to the Crib. To the one who comes, born into darkness, in the light of Presence and Hope. The one who will walk with us; shares all things with us; and whose Judgement is held in the tenderest love. And so, the purple of our preparations and reflection is shot through with the Rose Pink of sheer, tender, Joy. 
The Rose Candle reminds us of Christian Joy, and Rejoicing. The rejoicing that can stand in the dark, the pain, the sorrow, the brokenness of the world - and know it is neither alone, nor despairing.
In the darkest times, in the sparkliest times… Joy; joy, deep joy. For… Love comes, Love holds, Love is.
“Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice. Indeed the Lord is near!”
