Advent

The 3rd Sunday Symbolizes JOY with the Shepherd's Candle

Joy at the coming birth of Jesus

I amazes me as I read my daily Advent readings from the book Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus by Nancy Guthrie, just how a shepherd was viewed in the culture at the time of Christ's birth. They were the lowliest, the rejected, the unimportant - and yet, God sends His angels, a mass of them, to announce the birth of His Son.

In God's Kingdom what is held as worthy is often seen as unworthy on earth, those who are valued are the meek, the humble, the defenseless, the giving, the ones in need or the ones who are aware of their need. We forget that in America for we value the strong, the proud, the one with the most stuff, the one who feel invincible, untouchable, the one who is proud of his achievements, and ready to be served, expecting to be honored and highly esteemed.

Lord, remind of us our truth worth aside from You. Thank you for looking upon us, in our sinful humble estate and desiring to show us the way to You and a relationship with you. Bless you for Jesus! Thank you for humbling yourself, putting off your glory, taking on our flesh, and joining us to give us the perfect example of a life lived in the power of your Holy Spirit. Praise you for offering us true life, full life, a rich life on earth as you move into our lives, hearts, minds, and bodies and cause us to be your ambassadors on earth until we live with you in heaven.

Truth For Life

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields

and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord suddenly

stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them;

and they were terribly frightened.

But the angel said to them, Do not be afraid; for behold,

I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people;

for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior,

who is Christ the Lord.

"This will be a sign for you:

you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

And suddenly there appeared with the angel

a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

"Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased."

When the angels had gone away from them into heaven,

the shepherds began saying to one another,

"Let us go straight to Bethlehem then,

and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us."

So they came in a hurry and found their way to Mary and Joseph,

and the baby as He lay in the manger.

When they had seen this, they made known the statement

which had been told them about this Child.

And all who heard it wondered at the things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.

The shepherds went back, glorifying and praising God

for all that they had heard and seen, just as had been told them.

Luke 2: 8-20