The third Advent candle is the “Shepherd Candle” or the “Candle of Joy.” This candle reminds us that God sent the angels to announce the birth of Jesus first to the lowly shepherds. Just as he chose to spread the Good News about Jesus through these ordinary men, he still uses ordinary people to spread the Good News of Jesus today. The pink color represents joy or rejoicing and reveals a shift from repentance toward celebration.
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. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 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. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 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 2:8-20
Today, I saw two men standing by a tall wooden cross on the beach. One of the men was a retired Marine; the other was retired from the Army. They were asking people to pray for our country and our troops and also handing out papers declaring that Jesus is America’s only hope. The men were striking up conversations with people asking if they were Christians. If the person answered, “yes,” they were asked, “What would your answer be if you were to stand before God today, and he asked why he should let you into heaven?” One of the men told me that they were saddened by the amount of people who called themselves Christians but thought they would get to heaven just because they go to church or because they are good people. They wanted to make sure people know that our hope of eternal life comes only through our faith in Jesus. The men explained that they believe the end times are near and that we need to share the Gospel with as many people as we can.
God wants all of us to share the Good News about Jesus with others. You don’t have to be a Bible scholar, the pastor of a church or a Sunday school teacher. You just have to find your way of sharing God’s message of love, salvation and hope with those who need to hear. Who will you share the Good News with this week?
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’” ~Isaiah 52:7