Today is the Third Sunday of Advent sometimes called Gaudete Sunday after the introit at Mass which starts Gaudete meaning Rejoice.

The candle lit on the wreath this morning represents John the Baptist and can be pink.

Indeed the vestments might also be pink. This is an old custom  reminding us that we are about mid way through Advent.

Just one more Sunday to go before Christmas. So we rejoice.

In real time we can say that Mary and Joseph are about to leave Nazareth (where that little house now in Loretto once stood) on their 90 mile journey to Bethlehem.

So this year the start of the Advent Antiphons today on 17 December is this year rather lost in the Third Sunday which takes precedence.

Although O Sapienta will not feature at this morning’s Mass it will be heard tonight at Evensong.

From from tomorrow the Advent mood changes as we at last look towards the birth of Christ. Look out for more on the Antiphons  tomorrow.

Meanwhile you could quietly prepare the crib for Christmas. At midday today in Rome people, especially children, will be taking the Christ Child figure from their crib to St Peter’s Square for the Pope to bless when he speaks from his window and leads the Angelus.