he is coming

Advent literally means "coming", and that is what we are preparing for Jesus' first coming and awaiting his second coming. Advent is a joyous season, but we tend to prepare for it like Lent, with prayer, penance and fasting. Although not as strict as Lent, it is a period of self-preparation. The purple color is associated with Advent (symbolizing penance) along with the color rose (symbolizing joy and happiness) used on the Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday). This color symbolizes joy and represents the happiness we will experience when Jesus comes again. The Third Sunday is a day of anticipatory celebration.