The third week of Advent is a special week and most everyone celebrates with a focus on JOY, along with a pinky-rose coloured candle.

An article in The Daily Press explained how, “The pink candle is lit on the third Sunday of Advent, called Gaudete Sunday” which means “rejoice.” And what colour is as happy and joyful as the colour pink?

It’s not just a different candle that is lit during the third week of Advent, but there are different carols sung too, songs of joy fill churches.

Soul H2O Devotion

Why The Gospel Is Good News That Brings Joy

Pre-pandemic, you just never knew who would be at the Christmas dinner table. My family would often invite people in who didn’t have others to celebrate with and the Lord knows, we always have WAY MORE food than needed. It might be someone who was down and out on their luck or just people who didn’t have family nearby.

I think there’s great joy in knowing that Jesus came to set a seat at the table for anyone, not just a select few.

Take a look at your nativity set and actually think about the people surrounding the manger, along with all the others in the Christmas narratives recorded in Scripture.

But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord!

Luke 2:10-11 NIV

First of all, there’s a baby. God could have chosen to come down as an adult but he didn’t. He chose to come down as baby. The gospel is for the youngest of the young. Next, there is Mary and Joseph, she’s a teen mom and he was just a young step dad.

The gospel is for the young.

The first people to hear about the good news of the savior coming to earth was actually Mary’s older cousin Elizabeth. When she found out, she was so excited. Elizabeth and her hubby Zechariah housed Mary for the first part of her pregnancy. They were probably in their 40s or 50s as Zechariah was still working… so the gospel is for middle-aged people too.

The gospel is for middle-aged people.

Anna and Simeon in the synagogue were seniors in their later years, waiting for the promised Messiah and they were filled with joy as they recognized Jesus as the Christ.

The gospel is for seniors.

The wealthy, wise, and educated magi came from the east. Men with different skin tones, backgrounds, and beliefs from the others in this story.

The gospel is for the wealthy, wise, and educated.
For people of every nationality or ethnicity.

And then, there were the shepherds; just regular, every day, working class people.

The gospel is for the the average Joe or Joanne.

The gospel is good news because it’s for everyone!

No matter your race, creed, colour or family background, the gospel is good news that brings joy for you!

Prayer

Father… I want to thank You for including me into your family. Your gospel is good news for me. Help me to live in a joy-filled way that entices everyone to long for the good news your love can bring into their lives. In Jesus Name…Amen

Verses to help fill up your well.

1. Luke 2:10-11
2. Acts 2:28
3. Psalm 16:11
4. Luke 24:46-48

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#musicpic

#musicpic SONG: Joy Unto the World – The Afters @ 3:56

Youtube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nu018_9wF7k

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