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8 And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”15 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.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
Advent is a time for reflection, not just on the anticipation of Jesus' birth but on the profound implications of what His coming brings into our lives: hope, peace, and an all-encompassing joy. This period, rooted in centuries of tradition, invites us to ponder the joy experienced by the shepherds on that holy night—a joy that was unexpected and transformational. One of the most powerful aspects of this joy is that it's not meant to be kept to ourselves. In a world that often measures happiness by material success or personal comfort, we're called to a different standard—one of serving others and sharing the joy we've found.
You do not get great joy without good news. The Gospel is our good news, and it is good news for you. God knows you, He knows what you are going through and He cares about you. The Gospel is also good news for others. It is news to bring to all people and should impact your relationships. But ultimately, the good news is about Jesus. Joy comes from recognizing that God sent His Son for us. As we move towards this news, we serve Jesus and others. This is our place. This is our joy.