Praying and Waiting for Christmas: A 7 Day Advent DevotionalSample

The Candle of Joy or The Shepherds

As the shepherds guarded their flocks, the sky suddenly exploded with God’s glory. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people,” an angel announced. “The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem!” (Luke 2:10-11).

Imagine their joy! The long-awaited Messiah had come! He won’t rule like the brutal Romans, but “will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will carry the lambs in his arms, holding them close to his heart. He will gently lead the mother sheep with their young” (Isaiah 40:11).

The angel invited the amazed shepherds to visit their newborn King. As the lowest members of society, shepherds weren’t welcome in a king’s palace. But their King was found in a manger. What joy! This shepherd King would reign over a Kingdom where the poor and lowly are welcomed and cared for.

As Kingdom citizens, we are to show the same tender care to the lowly, so they’ll also experience joy. My sixth-grade teacher taught this in a lesson I’ve never forgotten. Mr. S. was kind and generous with his praise. If students did something noteworthy, he wrote their name on the chalkboard in huge letters where it remained for the rest of the day. I loved seeing my name up there.

One day, a new student arrived who was different from others in our small, rural community. Arthur had dark skin. His clothes and shoes were tattered. He stood a head taller and was probably older, but he could barely read. His family were Haitian migrant workers. No one befriended him.

In class one day, the topic of foreign languages arose. Mr. S. asked who knew words from another language. As students recited words they knew, Mr. S. turned it into a contest and kept score. My hand waved wildly. My grandmother had taught me several German phrases. I was certain to win. But first, it was Arthur’s turn.

He raised his hand for the very first time. We marveled as he recited phrase after phrase in French. Mr. S. applauded and wrote Arthur’s name on the chalkboard in huge letters. Arthur beamed with joy.

Then Mr. S. ended the contest. I didn’t get my turn! I was too immature to see the tender grace in Mr. S.’s decision, but in later years, I understood. It was something Jesus would have done, carrying this little lamb in His arms, close to His heart, bringing him joy.

I want to be more like Jesus, who “gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being” (Philippians 2:7). Let’s bring the joyous news of a shepherd King to people who are different from us, people the world overlooks, so they, too, can know true joy.