Unleashed: As You Go – Pray

Celebrating the third Sunday of Advent: Candle of Joy – Shepherd’s Candle

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the LORD appeared to them, and the glory of the LORD shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the LORD.”

One of the most beloved and famous of our Christmas carols, “Joy to the World” didn’t start out as a song, especially not a Christmas carol. Isaac Watts published a book of poems based upon the Psalms. “Joy to the World” was an adaptation of Psalm 98 as Watts interpreted the psalm as a celebration of Jesus.

Joy to the world! The Lord is come; Let earth receive her King…

Joy to the earth! The Savior reigns; Let men their songs employ….

No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground….

He rules the world with truth and grace, and makes the nations prove…

“Joy to the world” became a reality for a group of shepherds working in the cold, dark night of Bethlehem. These men probably wouldn’t rank high on the social and influencer scenes of the day, yet these lowly shepherds experienced what the sheep owner may never have experienced: joy. These nameless shepherds may not have had warm beds to crawl into that night, they didn’t have a cozy house to eat dinner in that night, they didn’t have job security if raiders stole their sheep but what they did have that night was a life changing encounter with the Christ-child. Their status in life didn’t change but their hearts and lives were forever and dramatically changed. They experienced joy that superseded any expectation of happiness.

As the “Hope” and “Faith” Advent candles continued to burn, Sunday we lit the “Joy” Advent candle, reflecting the anticipated joy of the coming Messiah. According to the most recent “World Happiness Report” the United States ranks number 18 among the world’s nations in terms of happiness. The report is based upon external things that supposedly makes a person happy. However, this week’s Advent candle doesn’t celebrate happiness but, rather, something far more profound: joy.

Though people often interchange the terms, in reality they are a world apart. “Things” may seem to make you happy but will never bring you joy. However, on the flip side, the lack of “things” never impacts one’s joy.  Barbara Johnson shares the story of a man on her bus who understood the reality of joy.

“The day started out rotten. I overslept and was late for work. Everything that happened at the office contributed to my nervous frenzy. By the time I reached the bus stop for my homeward trip, my stomach was one big knot.

As usual, the bus was late—and jammed. I had to stand in the aisle. As the lurching vehicle pulled me in all directions, my gloom deepened.

Then I heard a deep voice from up front boom, “Beautiful day, isn’t it?” Because of the crowd, I could not see the man, but I could hear him as he continued to comment on the spring scenery, calling attention to each approaching landmark. This church. That park. This cemetery. That firehouse. Soon all the passengers were gazing out the windows. The man’s enthusiasm was so contagious I found myself smiling for the first time that day. We reached my stop. Maneuvering toward the door, I got a look at our “guide”: a plump figure with a black beard, wearing dark glasses, and carrying a thin white cane.”

Though the shepherds never experienced great wealth, what they did experience was the greatest treasure of all time—Jesus.  The shepherds left the stable transformed.  “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.” (Luke 2:17-18,20)

What should I pray for during Advent?

• Pray for an imagination that helps you contribute joy to the world in creative ways.
• Pray that you are able to reflect joy in all you do this Christmas season.
• Pray you can clearly communicate what joy means to you through Jesus.

God is great,

Pastor Lynn