As we light the pink candle this third week of Advent—the candle of joy—we are reminded that God’s promises are not distant whispers; they are approaching realities. Advent is a season of waiting, but it is not a waiting filled with despair. It is a waiting infused with hope, expectation, and the certain knowledge that God’s justice and mercy will prevail. This week, our hearts turn to the profound truth of recompense—the divine assurance that God sees, remembers, and will restore.
Recompense is more than repayment; it is restoration, renewal, and the setting right of what has been broken. It is God’s way of honoring the faithful, comforting the weary, and bringing light into the darkness. In our lives, we often long for recompense: recognition for our efforts, justice for our suffering, or healing for our wounds. Yet God’s recompense does not always arrive on our schedule, and it rarely comes in the form we expect. Like a gardener patiently tending seeds that will bloom in their season, God nurtures his promises until they blossom fully. And when he acts, it is never a simple reward—it is the overflowing of his love, mercy, and joy.
This week, Advent calls us to embrace joy in the midst of waiting. Joy is not naïve optimism, nor is it dependent on circumstances. It is the confident delight that God’s plans are good, his timing is perfect, and his recompense is sure. Scripture reminds us repeatedly that God delights in his people, rejoices over us with singing, and brings peace to the weary. Every act of love we offer, every sacrifice we make, every prayer we whisper in the quiet moments of our hearts is known to him. Nothing is wasted. Nothing is forgotten. Nothing goes unseen.
As we reflect on recompense this week, we are invited to see beyond our immediate frustrations or disappointments and to trust in the God who comes to set all things right. The Christ child, coming to us at Christmas, is the ultimate recompense: the embodiment of God’s mercy, the healer of our brokenness, the bearer of joy that cannot be taken away. In him, the lonely are embraced, the oppressed are freed, and the faithful are rewarded—not always in ways the world applauds, but in ways that transform hearts and lives eternally.
Let this third week of Advent fill us with courage to act with hope and generosity, even when recognition seems distant. Let it inspire us to love boldly, give selflessly, and rejoice unapologetically. Joy is contagious: it lights the path for others, lifts weary hearts, and reminds the world that God’s kingdom is drawing near. As we prepare for Christmas, let us carry the light of this pink candle into our homes, communities, and hearts, knowing that God’s recompense is coming, and it is far more beautiful than we can imagine.
Inner Altar 