Today we light the pink candle – the candle of Joy. “Gaudete” means “rejoice,” and this Sunday breaks up the solemn purple of Advent with a burst of joyful pink. It’s a reminder that even in seasons of preparation and waiting, there’s room for celebration.

And isn’t that just perfectly scouting?

We’re always preparing our young people for something – the next rank, the next camp, the next challenge. But Gaudete Sunday reminds us: don’t forget to rejoice in the journey itself. The pink candle says, “Yes, we’re still preparing, but look how far we’ve come! Celebrate!”

So how do we embrace joy in Scouting?

Joy in Progress – This week, let’s actively celebrate the small victories. The scout who finally got that knot right. The shy one who spoke up in the patrol. The leader who managed to get everyone quiet for announcements (miracles do happen!). We don’t need to wait for badges to be earned or camps to be completed to rejoice.

Joy in Fellowship – Some of my favourite scouting moments aren’t the big achievements – they’re the silly songs sat around the Campfire, the inside jokes that develop over a term, the way a patrol celebrates when one of them succeeds. This week, can we create space for that joy? Maybe an extra game, a patrol challenge that’s just for fun, or time to simply enjoy being together.

Joy in Service – Our service projects this week could focus on spreading joy. Could your scouts bring joy to a care home with carols or games? Create joy-filled care packages? Do something that makes someone else smile?

Joy Despite Difficulty – Here’s the deeper lesson: the pink candle appears in week three, when Advent preparation is at its hardest. We’re tired, Christmas feels close but not quite here, and the waiting is wearing. Yet we rejoice anyway. What a lesson for our scouts: you can find joy even when things are tough, even in the middle of the hard work.

This Week’s Activity: Handmade Christmas Decorations

Nothing captures joy quite like creating something beautiful together. This week, have your scouts make handmade Christmas decorations – could be salt dough ornaments, paper snowflakes, pine cone decorations, or felt creations. The key is making them with joy and intention. These can go on the patrol Christmas tree, decorate your meeting hall, or be taken home to brighten someone’s house. As they create, encourage them to think about the joy these decorations will bring – not just in how they look, but in the love and effort put into making them. There’s something joyful about the act of creating itself, especially when done together.

Permission to Celebrate – Sometimes we leaders get so focused on the programme, the safety checks, the badge requirements, that we forget to let loose a bit. Gaudete Sunday gives us permission: it’s okay to pause the serious work and just enjoy these amazing young people and this incredible movement we’re part of.

I’d love to hear from other Scout Leaders: What brings you joy in scouting? How do you help your scouts find joy in the challenging bits? What’s the most joyful moment you’ve witnessed in your group recently?

As we move through this third week of Advent, may we remember that joy isn’t frivolous – it’s essential. And may our scout halls be places where young people learn that preparation and joy can go hand in hand.

Merry Christmas

Mark-Big Man in the Woods