Advent Week Three

It’s hard to believe we are already celebrating the third week of Advent! This week of Advent is a time of joyous reflection on the shepherds that mundanely watched over their flocks that night having no idea their lives were about to be changed forever. Imagine the fear they experienced at the sight of a spectacular angel of the Lord appearing before them. Consider the joy they felt in their hearts when the angel told them what was happening nearby in the little town of Bethlehem. Don’t forget to re-light the first two purple candles before you begin!


Here's a picture of my makeshift Advent wreath. It's not really a wreath at all, but it works in a pinch!

The Scripture Reading:

“Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” So it was when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.” Luke 2:8-20

The Prayer:

Father God it is on this night that we thank You for sharing the birth announcement with the lowly shepherds. This is how we know that Your salvation is not only for kings and princes, but for everyone, even me. Thank you for this joyful season when we can celebrate Your love for us through the birth of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen

The Candle:

The third week of Advent is celebrated with the lighting of a pink candle to remind us of the shepherds and the joy of the Good News of the Savior.

The Song: (Suggested)

Silent Night, Holy Night

This beautiful song, composed in the 19th century has a very colorful background story consisting of rumors that the song had to be written for guitar as mice had purportedly eaten the organ bellows. It’s worth looking up the history associated with the hymn.

Greatest Find of The Year

Attention people of the northern hemisphere! I’m going to need everyone’s help in order to get the word out about the latest discovery I happened upon…Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha.
It’s the most incredible thing I’ve ever tasted. I know what you’re thinking. I want a delicious Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha. Where can I get myself a delectable white chocolaty indulgence? This is the great part; you can get your very own Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha from a place called Starbucks®. And they’re everywhere! Having been a lifelong Diet Coke® drinker, I’d never even been in a Starbucks® before. I don’t know how I’ve lived this long without it. I want to tell the world about this virtual treasure trove of caffeinated goodness I’ve stumbled across.

Seriously, Starbucks® does make a great cup of joe, but I’m kidding about wanting to tell the whole world about it. I used this illustration to make a point of how excited we can become over the least little mundane thing that we find to be good or new or exciting. I admit it; I’m as bad as the next person when it comes to jumping on the ol’ bandwagon. After all, I have been back to Starbucks® more than once since my first visit. I have to ask myself though, when is the last time that I’ve been this excited telling people about my Lord and Savior? I wonder what it would have been like on that holy night so long ago if the very first witnesses were as lackadaisical as we are today. And yet I wonder…doo, doo, doo…doo, doo, doo…doo, doo, doo. (Flashback music)

“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 men 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 went into town to spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child. As they traveled through the town they noticed that one from their own tribe had recently opened Achmed’s New Wine and Sheep Wash. Suddenly they forgot all about spreading the good news of the newborn king, and decided to stop in for a spot of new wine and to run the sheep through the wash before the upcoming Passover.

Fortunately for us, the shepherds took a pass on stopping at Achmed’s and instead did what God called them to do. Perhaps we should take a queue from the shepherds and remember the very last thing Jesus told us to do in Matthew 28, on his parting over 2,000 years ago…"go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

As for me, I’m going to go see if there is anyone at Starbucks® that I can share the Good News with. While I’m there I’m going to see if they can make a Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha…FRAPPUCINO!