TODAY (Dec 13) is Gaudete Sunday which is taken from the introit and means “Rejoice in the Lord always”.
The scripture basis for this Sunday comes from the Philippians 4:4-5. Gaudete Sunday is a break from the more penitential nature of the Advent season, and signals a shift from the penitential style of waiting to a more joyful tone of scripture. Because of the change to a joyful tone, rose vestments are sometimes used instead of the traditional violet of Advent.