Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.

Luke 2:8-9

The third Advent Candle is the Shepherd’s Candle. It reminds us of: (a) the fear the shepherds felt when the angels appeared, (b) the curiosity that urged them to go to Bethlehem to see the newborn Child, (c) the eagerness they sensed to tell others about the Christ-Child, and (d) their worship of God “for all the things that they had heard and seen.”

Take a moment to read the following familiar Christmas carol, thinking about the words.

WHILE SHEPHERDS WATCHED THEIR FLOCKS

While shepherds watched their flocks by night, all seated on the ground,
The angel of the Lord came down, and glory shone around,
And glory shone around.

“Fear not,” said he—for mighty dread had seized their troubled mind—
“Glad tidings of great joy I bring to you and all mankind,
To you and all mankind.”

“To you, in David’s town this day, is born of David’s line, the Savior,
who is Christ, the Lord, and this shall be the sign:
And this shall be the sign.”

“The heavenly Babe you there shall find to human view displayed,
All meanly wrapped in swathing bands, And in a manger laid,
And in a manger laid.”

Thus spoke the seraph, and forthwith appeared a shining throng
Of angels praising God, who thus addressed their joyful song:
Addressed their joyful song:

“All glory be to God on high, and to the earth be peace:
Good will henceforth, from heaven to men, Begin and never cease!
Begin and never cease!”

This is a very old carol. The words were written by Nahum Tate in 1700 (George Handel wrote the tune we sing in 1728). Let us experience similar sensations and actions as did the Christmas Shepherds this Christmas season.