The Word Became Flesh: The Word of Joy
The Word Became Flesh:
The Word of Joy
Captain Joshua Hinson
Director of Mission and Ministry
Evangeline Booth College
USA Southern Territory
“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 spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told” (Luke 2: 15 – 20).
The Shepherd’s Candle
On this week of Advent, we light the Shepherd’s Candle, also known as the candle of joy. This candle reminds us of the contagious joy of the shepherds. Can you imagine, watching your sheep at night when a heavenly concert of angels reveals to you the coming Messiah? Take a moment. Close your eyes and try to picture it.
The hope of the world has come, the light of the world, and the shepherds are invited into the story.
The Word of Joy
A few years ago, my wife bought a sign to decorate our house, in big letters, “Choose Joy.” I hung it in the hallway, and the next morning my daughter was standing on a chair with crayons coloring this new sign. It was a moment I constantly come back to as I remember to make joy a choice. I wanted to be upset, to tell her to stop, put her in timeout, but instead, it was staring me in the face. Choose joy. It is a simple lesson but one I often forget. Joy is a disposition, a way of looking at life, a perspective of practicing God’s goodness all the time.
What brings you joy? As you can tell from my story about the sign, my children bring me joy. Not because of anything they have done but just because they are. Their existence is enough. When I am having a bad day, I think of them, and it changes my perspective.
Let it be so with Jesus. When I think about my Lord and how much He loves me, joy radiates from my heart. When I consider the Good News, I cannot help but get excited, just like the shepherds. We need the joy of the shepherds, the joy of the Lord. It is an essential mark of a believer. It drives us to witness. The joy of the Lord is our strength.
Do you have any weaknesses? The answer is yes. We all do. For some, considering our limitations and shortcomings might be a reason for despair, but we can rejoice in our weakness, for we know God’s power is made perfect in weakness. God will use our weakness for His glory. God will use the weak things of this world to shame the strong and the foolish things to shame the wise. God saw our condition and sent His son so that we might be saved. This allows us to be used by God in spite of our weakness. This Good News should inspire great joy!
Joy to the world the Lord has come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let ev'ry heart prepare Him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and heaven and nature sing.
Advent Blessing
O Lord, our God, we praise You for the gift of Your Son, the Word, Jesus. He is Immanuel, God with us, the hope of the nations, the prince of peace, the joy to the world, the unfailing love in flesh. O Lord, our God, guide us. Bless us. In anticipation this advent season, we long to see the light of Christ anew. Come quickly, Lord Jesus. Amen.
Our Worldwide Prayer Meeting
Germany, Lithuania & Poland Territory
Thinking It Through
That night for the shepherds ran from boredom, to terror, to joy. Have you had days like that? How can you find joy today? As the Captain Hinson said, joy is a disposition, a way of looking at life.
Notable Quotables
The immense step from the Babe at Bethlehem to the living, reigning triumphant Lord Jesus, returning to earth for His own people - that is the glorious truth proclaimed throughout Scripture. As the bells ring out the joys of Christmas, may we also be alert for the final trumpet that will announce His return, when we shall always be with Him. - Alan Redpath
We join the Annual Carol Sing at Royal Albert Hall in London with The Salvation Army United Kingdom and Ireland Territory for this wonderful arrangement and singing of "Joy to the World."
We would appreciate any feedback and/or suggestions on how to improve these devotionals. Please email comments to: SpiritualLifeDevelopment@uss.salvationarmy.org or by going to our website: https://southernusa.salvationarmy.org/uss/spiritual-life-development.
We would love to hear from you.
Lt. Colonel Allen Satterlee
Territorial Spiritual Life Development Officer/THQ Chaplain
USA Southern Territory