--- title: "The Third Week of Advent: The Joy Candle" description: This week, we light the third candle on our Advent wreath, the one that’s often pink. Why is it called the Joy Candle? --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2013/12/15/the-third-week-of-advent-the-joy-candle#) # The Third Week of Advent: The Joy Candle Dec 15, 2013 8:00:55 AM  |  by [Sarah Reinhard](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/sarah-reinhard) The third week of Advent is the week we light the pink candle on our Advent wreath, the Joy Candle. [![third week of advent joy candle](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/third-week-of-advent-joy-candle-300x400.jpg?width=300&height=400&name=third-week-of-advent-joy-candle-300x400.jpg)](http://catholicmom.com/2013/11/24/preparing-for-advent/third-week-of-advent-joy-candle/) ### We are surrounded by joy. Though Advent is a penitential season, we’re surrounded by joy. As we journey through this season, we empty ourselves of the extra and unneeded and find ourselves open to be filled by and with Jesus himself. Joy becomes more than just a happy feeling or a warm fuzzy. It becomes a destination and a commitment we make. As the Holy Spirit becomes a more comfortable companion to us, we find that joy is a place we share. Joy does not equal happiness, but it takes time to realize that, to appreciate it for the gift it is. We have to learn to cooperate with God’s grace in our lives to be able to touch the joy that is as part of us as the air we breathe. ### God loves us. In the picture of the Son of God as a human being—a helpless little baby—we see proof of God’s love for each of us. God didn’t just stop by sending his Son as a baby who had to grow up  and struggle through life like the rest of us. He sent a Son who would heal us. All of us are hurt in many different ways throughout our lives. We get hurt physically and we get hurt internally. After a while, all that pain can wear us down and make us ready to just stop trying. It becomes easier and easier to forget that God loves us when we’re wrapped in our own pain. Advent offers us the chance to reach beyond ourselves, past our pain, towards a baby who can’t do anything himself, and yet who holds the promise of our salvation. ### Discover joy by showing love. When I forget myself and give to the people who need me—whether they need something that makes me feel like a hero or something as simple as a sippy cup—I’m showing love to Jesus. Those people in my home are where I have to start with my love. The love I give the people in my daily life spreads joy throughout the world. The Joy Candle is lit as I wipe a table or prepare dinner, just as surely as it’s lit by those who are working in the trenches of soup kitchens and Calcutta. *Copyright 2013 Sarah Reinhard* ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2013%2F12%2F15%2Fthe-third-week-of-advent-the-joy-candle%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2013%2F12%2F15%2Fthe-third-week-of-advent-the-joy-candle%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2013%2F12%2F15%2Fthe-third-week-of-advent-the-joy-candle%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=The%20Third%20Week%20of%20Advent%3A%20The%20Joy%20Candle) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2013%2F12%2F15%2Fthe-third-week-of-advent-the-joy-candle%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2013%2F12%2F15%2Fthe-third-week-of-advent-the-joy-candle%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Sarah Reinhard](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/Contriubutors/SARAH%20REINHARD.jpeg) ### [Sarah Reinhard](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/sarah-reinhard) When she’s not chasing kids, chugging coffee, or juggling work, Sarah Reinhard’s usually trying to stay up read just one … more … chapter. She writes and works in the midst of rural farm life with little ones underfoot. She is part of the team for the award-winning *Catholic Mom’s Prayer Companion*, as well as the author of [a number of books](http://sarahreinhard.com/my-books/). ## Related Blog Articles [ The Second Week of Advent: The Peace Candle Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2013/12/08/the-second-week-of-advent-the-peace-candle) [ The Fourth Week of Advent: The Love Candle Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2013/12/22/the-fourth-week-of-advent-the-love-candle) [ The First Week of Advent: The Hope Candle Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2013/12/01/the-first-week-of-advent-the-hope-candle) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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