Today is the Ember Wednesday in Advent. On this day, the Gospel of the Annunciation is read at Mass. One can not help but feel happiness when hearing this Gospel. “She said yes!” is often the happy cry of a man receiving a positive reply from a proposal of marriage. In a similar manner, but of a greater, nay, an infinite (if it could be measured or attempted to be measured) degree of happiness is experienced by man, by all of creation, at the “yes” of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The Ember days of the Church are often overlooked in our day. Here is more information on today’s Ember Day: http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2016/12/ember-wednesday-of-advent-at-sarum.html#.Wjp3Kt-nE2w.