During the season of Advent, we often light candles on an Advent wreath at church as we count down the four Sundays leading up to Christmas. You may even have a wreath or something similar that you use at home with your family in preparation for Christmas. Each of these candles has a different theme that traditionally accompanies it. These themes are intended to help us as we prepare ourselves to receive the gift of God’s grace.
One of the candles we traditionally light is the candle of joy. When I think of the message of joy at Advent, I always think of the angel appearing to the shepherds in the field:
In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” – Luke 2:8-11
I love that the angel comes to the tell the shepherds they do not need to be afraid, because the message coming is a message of great joy for all people. This is a joy that cannot be contained to any particular person or group of people. It is a joy that is so contagious it will fill all people. It is a joy so pure that it pushes out any fear that may reside in our hearts and lives.
The Greek word used for angel is “angelos.” Literally translated, it means “messenger.” The angel that appears is a messenger sent from God to deliver news of great joy. It’s interesting to note that the word “angelos” does not necessarily mean a winged supernatural creature with a halo that flies in from the sky. An angel can be anyone who brings a message from God of great joy.
In this season of Advent, who has been an angel sent from God to bring you a message of great joy? Who has helped remove fear from your life? How can you be an angel sent by God to bring a message of great joy for someone else today? When we tell the world the good news of great joy this Christmas, we help push fear out and prepare room for the greatest gift the world has ever known.
Rev. Josh Attaway, Edmond Campus Pastor
