The Third Week of Advent Readings - begins December 15

Today, we light the Shepherds' candle, also known as the candle of Joy. Its pink color is meant to stand out against the purple candles. The candle represents the joy expressed by heavenly beings at the birth of Christ. It anticipates our exuberate celebration at the completion of Christ’s work to rid the world and God’s people of sin and all its effects.

This is consistent with what we find in the Scripture as God’s people respond to His powerful movement on their behalf. In Exodus 15:1-18, when God parts the Red Sea, rescuing Israel and destroying Pharoah, Moses breaks out in joyful song, saying,

The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him…Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?...You have led in your steadfast love the people whom you have redeemed; you have guided them by your strength to your holy abode.

Moses and God’s people celebrate in a new song, written and composed for Israel to learn and sing in praise of the LORD.

But expressing joy isn’t always easy as we live in fragile, diseased bodies in a world of sin and corruption. It is appropriate for us to ask, like those taken captive to Babylon, in Psalm 137:3,4:

For there our captors required of us songs, and our tormentors, mirth, saying, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?

We sing the Lord’s song because God is faithful and has provided us a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. We sing the Lord’s song because Christ atoned for us, providing reconciliation with God. We sing the Lord’s song because there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus. We sing the Lord’s song because God has made Jesus Lord over all. We sing the Lord’s song because this world is not our home, but Christ is preparing a place for us. We sing the Lord’s song because Christ will return, and we will dwell in the house of Zion where we will weep no more.

People of God, rejoice! Christ was born; He died; He rose; He ascended; He sessioned; He is Lord; He is coming again!

Weekly Readings for Further Study

Sunday: Read today’s Advent reading at home. www.eastcobbpres.org/christmas

Monday: Read Psalm 146 and 1 Corinthians 1:20-31. Why does God choose to use weakness over strength? Why do we often think that strength (our flesh) is more valuable in God’s kingdom? Can you think of other weak people that God used in the bible?

Tuesday: Read Matthew’s account of Joseph (1:18-25). What do you learn about him, particularly his response to Mary? Why was he willing to bear the shame Mary’s pregnancy would bring upon him? How do you think modern religious people would respond?

Wednesday: Read Luke’s account of Mary receiving the news, Luke 1:26-38. How could Mary respond with the words, “I am the servant of the Lord”? What does that tell you about her? Consider the threats she was facing from Joseph, her family, and community.

Thursday: Read Mary’s song, Luke 1:46-55. How does she view herself? How does she view God?

Friday: Read the birth account in Luke 2:1-7. Imagine a cave on the side of a hill where shepherds would spend the cold nights with their sheep. A small area in the center is cut out of the stone floor to put animal feed. This is where Joseph and Mary stayed and gave birth to our Savior. You can google: Bethlehem shepherds cave for images. What a humble birth.

Saturday: In anticipation of Sunday’s sermon, read about Simeon and Anna: Luke 2:22-38

For Families with Children

This narrative in Luke 1:26-56, 2:1-20 and Matthew 1:18-25 reveals God’s affection for the lowly and weak. Joseph, a carpenter, and Mary, a teenager, were both unknown, poor, lower class people. Their social profiles were not of an elite nature. They were commoners. But God loves to confound the “wise” and elite of our world, choosing to use what is deemed foolish and weak by the world (1 Corinthians 1:20-31). Read through the narratives with your children emphasizing God’s delight in the lowly who depend on Him. Take this week to help your children see that God delights in them and that their ministry at home and school is valued.