Advent is a season when we celebrate the light of Jesus coming into the world. This light comes to us as joy – a response to the amazing, good news that God is love. God loves everyone – every person, every animal, every plant, and rock – and takes great joy in it all.
In our service for the fourth Sunday of Advent we reflected on this reality and how the stories we have received through tradition and the stories we tell today, show us this very reality – God takes great joy in us. That’s true of the Christmas story. Read this part of that story from the Gospel of Luke:
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to his own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
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 of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ 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, 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 2:1-20 (NIV)
Reflect on the following:
- With whom do you identify most in this story and why?
- Where do you see joy in this story and how is it expressed?
- Why do you think the shepherds were so motivated to make the trek to see Jesus?
Shepherds were often viewed in negative ways in those days. They spent weeks and months away from civilization looking after sheep, protecting them from the elements and wild animals, through rain, snow, and intense heat. Despite their hard work, they were poorly paid and were looked down upon by most people. Because of their lowly status they were considered unsuccessful in human terms and far away from God’s favor. But this story completely changes that narrative! The angels break the good news of Jesus’ birth to the shepherds first. They are recipients of God’s lavish, inclusive, and irresistible love – God’s favor is on everyone. They then become messengers of this good news, and you can almost feel the joy radiating from them (just like the light that shone around the angels). They are now at the center of this story; they are major players in the drama.
Now light the previous three candles on your Advent wreath again (the purple one for “hope”, the second purple one for “peace”, and last week’s pink candle for “love”). Then light this week’s purple candle for “joy”. Dim the lights in the room so that the candles burn brightly as you sit around them. Imagine the light they radiate as God joy, delight, and celebration of you. If you are alone, hold your hand up closer to the candles and see how you reflect the light. If you are with others notice the candlelight reflected on their faces and in their eyes. We reflect God’s delight in us. We are not the labels others give us. We are not the labels we give ourselves. We are the apple of God’s eye and central characters in God’s story.
Close by sitting in silence for a moment. Open your heart to the wonder of joy and let the light in.