Archbishop José Gomez of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles invited followers to celebrate the fourth Sunday of Advent.

According to Mercy Home, on the fourth Sunday of Advent, Catholics light the fourth candle on their Advent wreaths. This candle is the last violet colored one and is also known as the “Angel’s Candle,” and it serves as a reminder of the angels’ message: “Peace on Earth, good will toward men.”

“This fourth Sunday of Advent, let us ask for the grace today to receive his love, to welcome him.  And to always live with the joy that St. Elizabeth has, knowing that Jesus is with us all the time,” Archbishop Gomez wrote in a Dec. 19 Twitter post.

The Gospel reading on this fourth Sunday of Advent tells the story of Mary going to visit her cousin Elizabeth, who was also pregnant. When Mary greeted Elizabeth, Elizabeth’s baby “leaped in her womb,” and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and realized Mary’s baby was the Son of God.

“As soon as Mary heard Elizabeth was in need, she immediately decided to go help. This is how Christians live – we are people of peace and compassion, reaching out to others in need.  Bringing Jesus to their lives, Archbishop Gomez wrote in a Dec. 20 Twitter post.

According to Christianity.com, the word “Advent” comes from a Latin word meaning “coming.” Although today Advent is typically thought of as a season of anticipating Christmas, it originated as a time when early Christians would prepare for the baptisms of new Christians on the Epiphany.  The Advent season also anticipated the Magi visiting baby Jesus, Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan River, and Jesus’ first miracle at the wedding in Cana. Christians used the Advent season as a 40-day period of fasting and prayer.  Advent was not directly linked to Christ’s birth at Christmas until the Middle Ages.