The Shepherd's Candle

But the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. Luke 2:10 NLT

If you are using an advent wreath, light the purple candle of hope, the purple candle of love, and the pink candle of peace. Notice how three candles bring greater light than two.

Sudden news can change everything.

When a soldier is killed in action, another soldier or two are sent to the home of the fallen soldier to deliver the not good news. As the door opens to their knock, a defining moment unfolds. Suddenly everything changes.

The ring of a phone can bring not so good news. The caller might be known or unknown. The news may be a no to a job or a house. The news may be of a death or accident. Suddenly everything changes.

There are hard moments of not good news in life that suddenly change everything.

But there are moments of good news that define our lives as well. The knock at the door brings a child home or a surprise visit from a friend! The ring of a phone brings a birth announcement or a yes to a job or house. Suddenly everything changes.

 These moments, good or not so good, can change and do change the trajectory of life.

The shepherds in the field watching over the sheep did not have a door to open or a phone to answer, but the good news came! But they were afraid. We know that because the very first thing the angel says is, “do not be afraid.” I’m guessing this angel did not mirror the angel we find in a nativity. I wonder if the angel was fierce like a warrior or bright like a light filling the whole sky. Whatever the angel looked like, the shepherds were taken off guard, the angel appeared without warning, the angel appeared suddenly. And while the shepherds tried not to be afraid, they heard good news of great joy. The Savior, Messiah, the promised King had arrived.

Joy is found in Jesus.

Can you imagine? The one prophesied, the One anticipated for generations has arrived. The joy, the great joy would have been indescribable. Did they jump up and down like we do at a sporting event? Did they hug one another like we do when we share great news? Or did they look at one another in belief, surpassing unbelief with wonder?

The joy of wonder. The mystery of wonder. The wonder of the unexpected. No one knew the time of His arrival, His birth. And no one knows the time of His return. But what we do know is that His arrival brings great joy to all!

This week as you think about joy, remember a time when something suddenly changed everything and give thanks. Even the hard somethings bring good along the way.

In this together,
Candace

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