Just As He Promised: Joy

We will be lighting the third Advent candle this Sunday -- the Joy candle, and we will be considering Luke 2:8-20.

When the angel of the Lord stood before and the glory of the Lord shone around the shepherds in the fields outside Bethlehem, he brought them good news of great joy for all the people. The dreadful sight gave way to delightful news. We also need to make sense of the "disorientation" accompanying the good news of Christmas.

But because the angels brought this good news of great joy for all the people, we rejoice for, with, and like the shepherds. Why shepherds? Why were they the first to receive the news?   On one hand, the good news came to those regarded as the least. On the other hand, these shepherd represented the one who was born -- our Good Shepherd that we need -- the best. Indeed, we find that there is reason for great joy.