This Sunday, we light the third candle, the Mary candle which symbolizes Joy. After receiving God’s message from Angel Gabriel that she would bear His son conceived by the Holy Spirit, and receiving blessings from her cousin, Elizabeth, Mary sings in Luke 1:46-49, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for He has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me — holy is His name.”

May we, too, consider it all joy to do His will, no matter how afraid or unprepared we may be.