Advent's Shepherd's Candle Represents Joy

During the advent season, the shepherds are remembered for the great joy that filled them when they received saw their Messiah. Their great joy confused the people of Bethlehem, and perhaps that's why the town's people didn't rush to find Jesus too. Yet, this advent joy still extends to everyone today, and everyone who honors Jesus as Lord receives indescribable joy that the world can't steal.

Let’s look at the shepherds

Many of the historical figures from Israel's past cared for sheep. Shepherds need a tender heart because sheep can't tend themselves. The Lord even likens Himself to a shepherd because of His deep love for mankind. While the leaders of Israel were supposed to lead the people in the commands of the Lord, many of them failed when they desired fame and fortune over obedience.

Abel was a shepherd (Gen. 4:4)
Jacob was a shepherd (Gen. 30:40)
The people were shepherds in Egypt (Gen. 45:10)
David began as a shepherd
God is likened to a shepherd (Psalm 23:1)
Israel’s leaders are likened to shepherds (Isaiah 56:10-11), but they failed the Lord and His flock
Christ calls himself the Good Shepherd (John 10)

By the time of Jesus' incarnation, shepherds were not considered valuable people. As poor and outcast as Joseph, Mary and the newborn seem to be, there was a group in the country more outcast still: the shepherds. The rabbis had placed a ban on them that prevented them from testifying in court. Yet, they are the first marginalized group we meet in Luke’s Gospel. It seems appropriate that the first recipients of the promised Lamb of God would be shepherds. Despite their humble position and lack of education in that society, God chose them to proclaim His fulfillment of hundreds of prophecies. He made a way for the less esteemed in man's eyes to teach the leaders (1 Corinthians 1:26-29).

Let’s look at the angels

What seems even more unbelievable is the host that is sent to announce this joy to the shepherds. Mary met only a single angelic messenger. Joseph only dreamed of an angel. The shepherds experience a myriad of the heavenly host. (Myriad means a limitless number.) The glory of the Lord shines all around them. In Greek, they literally “feared a great fear.”

In the typical angelic greeting fashion, the messenger proclaims, “Don’t be afraid.” Then he describes what happened in Bethlehem and the joy this brings for all people. The angel seems to understand that the shepherds need a sign, a way to find their way to this miraculous baby. He gives them two. He will be wrapped in cloths and lying in a trough. Luke uses a medical term for swathing, wrapping someone up in strips of cloth. The commentaries agree this was a custom performed on newborns to help their limbs grow straight, and it might indicate their poverty level. This, it seems to me, is more of a sign, something out of the ordinary. Clearly the second reference that the baby would be lying in a trough is out of the ordinary.

Let’s look at the baby

While the tiny child seemed like any other baby born a regular night, His advent marked a whole new era. This was because He wasn't an ordinary baby. Here are some of the titles He bears, along with their meanings or descriptions.

He is Savior—Deliverer
He is Messiah—The Messiah is the instrument by whom God's kingdom is to be established in Israel and in the world. (ISBE)
He is Lord—Ruler

Let’s look at the message

The angel pointed out three key pieces of the message when he interrupted the shepherds' evening plans. He emphasized the good news, its capacity to bring great joy, and its availability to all people.

During His ministry, Jesus deepened this understanding when He clarified to His disciples that He provides joy. It's not something available from the world, and any earthly imitation pales in comparision (John 15:9-11, Acts 13:52, 1 Peter 1:8).

Let’s look at the shepherd's response

The shepherds investigated the message they received from the angels and found out it was true. Then, they enthusiastically shared it with everyone. Only after they finished showering the town with the great joy they learned did they return to their fields, and while returning to their sheep, they continued to glorify and praise God.

Have you received the Savior? Do you allow Him to be the Lord in your life? Are you praising Him, even if your circumstances don't seem great in human eyes?

Digging Deeper into the Joy of Advent

Many references above came from Michael Card's commentary on Luke. Review this source for more information about the shepherds and the joyful message they received and shared during Jesus' first advent.