Friends, my prayer is that despite life’s trials, the good news of the gospel cheers your heart during this Advent season. We have a beautiful example from the shepherds of the Christmas story. Surely, once they recovered from the shock of an angelic encounter, they must have been leaping around and heartily embracing each other in that field outside Bethlehem. They had heard words that would change everything for them. Tidings of comfort and joy! Jesus Christ, the savior of the world, was born! Why was he born? He came to rescue our straying and sinful souls. He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and delivered us to his own bright kingdom. Can you remember first realizing that Jesus changes everything for you? This is the kind of news to keep us merry. Let us not harden our hearts to the warmth and light of gospel proclamation. Those shepherds marveled at the news, rushed to the manger’s side, and worshiped Jesus. Then they went out into the world and shared good news with others, bursting with praise for the God who had revealed the birth of his Son to them.
Scriptures to consider:
When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made know to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them…And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. Luke 2:15-18; 20
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned – every one – to his own way. And the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6
He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Col. 1:13-14
Hymn to enjoy:
God rest you merry, Gentlemen, let nothing you dismay
Remember Christ our Savior was born upon this day;
To save us all from Satan’s power when we were gone astray
O tidings of comfort and joy, comfort and joy;
O tidings of comfort and joy
From God, our heavenly Father, a blessed angel came
And, unto certain shepherds, brought tidings of the same;
How that in Bethlehem was born the Son of God by name
The shepherds at those tidings rejoiced much in mind
And left their flocks a-feeding in tempest, storm and wind
And went to Bethlehem straightaway this blessed Babe to find
But when to Bethlehem they came, where at this Infant lay
They found Him in a manger, where oxen feed on hay;
His mother Mary, kneeling, unto the Lord did pray
Now to the Lord sing praises all you within this place,
And with true love and brotherhood each other now embrace;
And no more walk in shadow your sins have been erased
Traditional English carol, 16th century
The Type B Mom 
It is a jig! Love it
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