And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. – Luke 2:8-9

Today is the fourth Sunday in Advent. This is significant because it signals the beginning of the week running up to Christmas Eve and then Christmas Day.

In the Advent Calendar, this week’s focus is either “Love” or “Joy,” depending on what guide we are using, In my book week number three is love – as in “Love came down at Christmas,” then this week is joy – as in “Joy to the World, the Lord is come….”

Or maybe we can just trade in the traditional “Hope, Peace, Love & Joy” and replace them with “Promise, Grace, Love & Light” (we can’t do without the Love). With this last week being all about light.

“In him was life, and that life was the light of all humankind… The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world” (John 1:4,9).

Light, as we know, completely defeats darkness at every turn. Light is that potent, light is that pure. And if there is one thing that overwhelms the shepherds gathered on the hillside it is the light and the glory that comes along with the angel choir announcing the birth of the Messiah. “Messiah,” meaning, “The promised deliverer of Israel.”

But that is not a big enough concept. The tiny but brilliant bundle of light born in the manger delivers more than just Israel. Jesus is Savior for every person on this planet.

This is another good reason to be in church today. This is a good reason to sing words such as “Light and life to all He brings, Risen with healing in His wings.” This is good reason to put everything else (the gifts, the feasting, the parties) a distant second place behind kneeling – lost in wonder and bathed in light – to pay homage to the newborn king.

I like that phrase: Lost in Wonder and Bathed in Light. But this is where we will always find ourselves when we move away from the distractions and turn our attention, and our intention, to the heart of what really happened that night.

The promise, the grace, the love and the light – DEREK