Advent: 3rd Candle

Joy: Shepherd’s Candle

Luke 2:8–14 ESV

And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

Why the Shepherds?

To answer this question we need to know what the shepherds do?

The duty of shepherds was to keep their flock intact, protect it from predators and guide it to market areas in time for shearing.

Jesus is the Shepherd. He would go out of His way for the one . He saw people in a different view. He was sent here to save the “flock” of mankind from our sins and keep us spiritually and eternally safe.

What do the Shepherds represent?

Obedience.

Let’s picture this, It’s dark. You are watching over the flock, making sure nothing is coming to harm them. Then all of sudden an angel shows up and Fear not, I bring you good news of great joy for ALL People.

The angel tells them where they will find Christ the Lord.

Then bam a multitude of angels come out and start singing. Praising God.

Now they didnt get into their Ford F150 and drive home and say wow that was a cool concert or wow, what an amazing worship we just had.

Luke 2:15–16 ESV

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.

They got up, they went to Bethlehem. They were obedient to the Lord. They were excited. They were on fire for God.

But that wasn’t it was it?

They didnt keep it inside, they didnt say to each other we need to keep this to ourselves.

Evangelists

They spread the word to everyone.

Luke 2:17–20 ESV

And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

They had the joy in their hearts.

I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy

Down in my heart.

Where

Down in my heart,

Where

Down in my heart

I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy

Down in my heart

Where

Down in my heart to stay.

I sang that song as a kid in church. Joy is important, We need to remember where that joy comes from.

Romans 15:13 ESV

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

God fills us with joy

We need to remember its a fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22 ESV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

No one can take the joy away from us

John 16:22 ESV

So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.

We don’t lose that joy when we become Christians. We don’t kick rocks and say so I became a Christian today.

We get happy, we say I BECAME A CHRISTIAN TODAY..

We need to be like these shepherds and shout it out and be excited even on days we dont want to and everything is falling apart around us. We need to remember Jesus Christ is coming back again, God wins the ultimate battle. I am going to see my loved ones again.

It’s time to get happy like on Christmas morning when we were kids, excited for those presents. But instead we need to excited for His return because it’s coming soon.