As Christendom marks the Fourth Sunday of Advent on Dec. 18, readings, prayers, and reflections in holy masses will focus on the narratives and events that surround the final theme of the Advent season: The Annunciation of the Birth of Jesus.
Priests in violet vestments will lead church rites that include the lighting of the third purple candle - the symbol of love - in the Advent wreath to emphasize the nearness of the joyous celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ.
The two purple candles, which symbolize penance and hope, respectively, as well as the pink candle, which symbolizes joy, will be re-lighted, leaving only the white center candle, which symbolizes Christ.
The white candle will be lit during the Misa de Gallo, the Christmas Eve mass on Dec. 24, to herald the onset of Christmas.
Meanwhile, Catholic Church leaders continue to encourage the faithful to join the holy masses at the church whenever possible while still observing the minimum health standards as well as going to confession as part of the spiritual preparation for Christmas.
The faithful will also observe the third of the nine-day “Simbang Gabi” on Dec. 18.