photo: grittygrace.com

The Candle of Joy is also called the Shepherd’s Candle.  It is pink as a symbol of joy.  I extended the reading in Luke today to include the Shepherds for this reason!

What truly joyful news it was: A Savior is born!  The Messiah is finally here!  So simple.  So profound.  So quiet…except on the hillside where the shepherd were.

The news wasn’t given to the priests or religious leaders, nor to the kings or rulers of the nation, not even to the powerful or rich… but to shepherds in the fields…a dirty, low class group of people.

These were the first ones to welcome the Messiah as they ran from the fields into town to bow before Him.

Today is the day to Rejoice!  We are remembering that Messiah, the One for whom Israel had waited these many years, had been born!  It is a day to sing, “Hallelujah!”  and worship the newborn babe.

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 their 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 guest room available for them.

 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.”  Luke 2:1-12

 

Come to Jesus today and rejoice!  The Savior has been born.

You may be a dirty shepherd or a mess in some other way.  You may appear to have your life all together.  Either way, if you are aware of your need for a Savior, you can rejoice.  He has arrived on the earth as He promised.  Hallelujah!