Advent: Joy #Christmas #Inspirational #Advent2021

It’s the third week of Advent where a pink candle is lit. This one is called the Shepherds candle which symbolizes joy.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,  and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.  But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

• Luke 2: 8-20

What a joyful news this must have been for these shepherds! They’ve heard the prophecies of the Old Testament of the coming Messiah and to be able to actually witness this coming to fruition during their lifetimes?

Wow!

After seeing baby Jesus, it’s no wonder why they went around proclaiming and sharing this joyous moment with all who crossed their paths.

 Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
let ev’ry heart prepare him room
and heav’n and nature sing,
and heav’n and nature sing,
and heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.

This is the kind of news that our world sorely needs!

Our society is riddled with strife and chaos. The lack of kindness for one another is so sad to see! Since the start of the pandemic, the number of suicides and those falling into a deep state of depression are astounding.

Now more than ever, people need to hear about this story of Jesus’ birth and what this truly means.

That in Jesus there is hope in the midst of suffering and loss.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

• Romans 15:13