Third Sunday of Advent: JOY

The Third Sunday of Advent
The Path to Christ
The Candle of JOY

“But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).

The story of the shepherds is one of my favorite parts of the Christmas story, perhaps because I am the kind of person who usually roots for the underdog. Here we have a group of nomads, separated from the rest of society, hanging out in the harsh desert with their sheep. In this ancient culture, shepherds were not the most esteemed of citizens, and their life situation shows it. And hooray for the underdogs – God chose this ragtag band of shepherds to reveal His Glory, the amazing message of what was unfolding in Bethlehem … The Good News!

On this Third Sunday of Advent, there is a reason this candle is known as both the Shepherd’s Candle and the Candle of Joy, because the news that was delivered to them that night was one that could only bring a response of Joy. And what’s even more amazing about it is that the Good News did not stop there; this News is “for all the people” … that means us, today!

We have been on this incredible journey of The Path to Christ, recognizing the need to rid ourselves of the darkness that enfolds us, claiming the Hope that is promised to us in Jesus Christ, and experiencing the true Peace of God by repenting of our sins. Out of this Hope, and out of this Peace, grows this astounding Joy! This is the same Joy that Mary felt when she was filled with the Holy Spirit, bowing her will to God’s. This is the same Joy the shepherds experienced, so filled that they ran to Bethlehem and fell to their knees in worship. This is the same Joy that this tiny baby – this Son of God – has brought to the entire world.

This is the same Joy that fills us today, as we light this candle in celebration of this Advent journey. For by taking these steps on The Path to Christ, we experience what these underdog shepherds did – a Joy so intense, so life-changing, so beautiful. For if Jesus – Emmanuel – is truly dwelling within us, then it will make a transforming difference in who we are and how we live our lives. How can we not rejoice at this Good News?! We will live new lives of Joy!

(Third meditation for church bulletin)