Today is the third Sunday of the Advent season and during our worship service we will light the third candle on our Advent wreath. This candle serves to remind us of the great joy which surrounded the shepherds as they heard the news of Jesus' birth as recorded in Luke's gospel. "And in that 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 fear. And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all 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 unto you; you shall find the babe 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 God is pleased."
Can you imagine what it would have been like to have been among those shepherds? There they were, working the night shift on a cold winter's night only to have the solitude of their evening dramatically interrupted by a host of God's angels who shared with them the most joyous news that had ever been announced? They followed that announcement with a resounding "Hallelujah Chorus" giving praise and glory to God. As we worship together on this day, may we experience that same joy as we; too, sing "Glory to God in the highest!"
Hymn: "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing"
"Hark! The herald angels sing,
'Glory to the newborn king.
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners, reconciled.'
Joyful all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies'
With the angelic host proclaim,
'Christ is born in
Hark! The herald angels sing,
'Glory to the newborn king."
Prayer:
Thank you, O God, for the joy that was given life on that first Christmas morning. As our celebration of Christ's birth nears, fill us with the joy about which the angels first sang, so that we, like the shepherd, will rush to worship the newborn king. Amen.
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