Luke 2:10-11 but the angel reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior -- yes, the Messiah, the Lord -- has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!"
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The third candle symbolizes joy and is called the "Shepherd’s Candle." To the shepherd’s great joy, the angels announced that Jesus came for humble, unimportant people like them, too. The lowly shepherds who spent their lives with sheep and received very little respect from the townspeople, were chosen by God to hear directly from the angels about the Messiah's birth. Our creator is not a God for an exclusive few. He is a God for all of us, from every walk of life, in all of our circumstances.
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Matthew 2:10-11 When they saw the star, they were filled with joy! They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
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PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord, the good news of Jesus' birth brings such joy to those of us who know you! This year we pray you will reach those who are lost and searching with the message of hope that we have through the Messiah. God, allow your message of peace to bring comfort and peace to our anxious world. As we all go about the holiday season, let the message of great joy permeate through all of the noise and into our hearts.