Today, the final Sunday of preparation, we shift our focus to Mary, the Mother of our Lord.

We contemplate her humble acceptance of God's will and the extraordinary news of the Annunciation—the angel Gabriel's message that she would bear the Christ child. The lessons emphasize the fulfillment of prophecy and Mary's role as the vessel of Incarnation.

We light the fourth (and final) purple candle on the Advent wreath, representing love or the angels.