Gaudete in Domino

​‘Like children awaiting the Christ Child, we are hardly able to restrain our happiness over the coming of the Lord. Actually it is Christmas joy anticipated. The Church modifies her colours; instead of violet she uses rose, a softened hue of violet and thus a compromise between the colours symbolising penance and joy. Unlike other days in Advent, the altar is adorned with flowers; organ music is permitted; and at the High Mass the assistant ministers against wear the tunic and dalmatic. Persons who love the liturgy should celebrate such extraordinary days in a special manner and make the most of their distinguished features. The colour rose ought to predominate in the church (vestments, altar hangings) and in the home too (at the dinner table, for example). Pastors could use the occasion to preach on the adornment proper to the house of God. Rarely is the Church’s mood so unmistakable. Of course, our Advent joy must be deepened and purified; this is done through the day’s liturgy’.  

from The Church’s Year of Grace, 1953, by Pius Parsch, 1884-1954

O Lord Jesus Christ, who at thy first coming didst send thy messenger to prepare thy way before thee: grant that the ministers and stewards of thy mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready thy way, by turning the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; that at thy second coming to judge the world we may be found an acceptable people in thy sight; who livest and reignest with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen. - Divine Worship: The Missal.