Tag: joy Page 1 of 2

Motivational Monday

On April 20, 2026

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! If you read last week’s motivation, then you know my nephew was getting married. FYI- he DID in fact get married to his beautiful bride and they are honeymooning currently. Everything went great and it was God centered. In saying that, this week should be really low key compared to last week. Which, if you are anything like me, is GREAT. But you see, there was a mountain in my life (a good mountain!). The peak was the wedding and we are going back down the mountain quickly. So what is there to talk about this week? Exactly that…

Let’s be honest—some weeks don’t start with excitement. There’s no big breakthrough, no huge answered prayer, no dramatic change. Just alarms going off, schedules to keep, and responsibilities waiting.

And if we’re not careful, we can slip into thinking we’re just trying to get through the week.

But what if we did something different this time? What if instead of waiting for something good to happen… we started looking for the good that’s already here?

Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

Not the perfect day. Not the easy day. This day.

Joy doesn’t always come in big, life-changing moments. Sometimes it shows up quietly—

in a peaceful cup of coffee (my favorite afternoon relax time),
a kind word from someone,
a moment of laughter you didn’t expect,
or simply making it through a hard day with a little more strength than you had yesterday.

James 1:17 reminds us, “Every good and perfect gift is from above…”

Every good thing—not just the big ones.

The truth is, God is moving in our lives every single day. We just don’t always notice because we’re looking for something bigger, louder, or different. But maybe the shift we need this week isn’t a change in our circumstances…maybe it’s a change in what we’re paying attention to. I know you have heard me say (or write) that I like to “disappear in the woods”. For the record, I don’t like to disappear 😬, I just like to reconnect. Reconnecting, for me, is easier when I’m in the woods. Probably because I am not connecting on my phone….I’m focused on the day the Lord has made.

Not every week will feel exciting. Not every prayer will be answered overnight. Remember, a prayer that you believe is unanswered IS answered. Just because you didn’t get the answer you wanted doesn’t mean He let you down. That wasn’t His plan. It doesn’t mean He isn’t working. Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can do is pause and recognize the goodness that’s already surrounding us.

So here’s your challenge this week:

Find three good things each day and write them down. And try to find three different things per day. And at the end of the week, reflect on what you wrote. Some things might be big things in your life, but most will be everyday things. But when you start looking for God’s goodness, you’ll begin to realize—it’s been there all along.

Let’s not just get through this week… let’s see it.

Love you all,

Jennifer

Motivational Monday

By Jennifer Robbins

On April 13, 2026

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends!

As most of you know, I have one son. But what you don’t know is I have 6 other “kinda” children. They are the closest thing to my own child I can get without me actually giving birth. They are my nieces and nephews. This upcoming weekend, I get to watch one of my nephews stand at the altar and say two simple words… “I do.” And isn’t it funny how something so small can carry so much weight?

I have been married for a million and one years now (just kidding! It’s been 23.5 years…). I remember my own wedding. We got married at the courthouse. Why did we choose the courthouse? Well, I was marrying a guy who really didn’t like to be the center of attention and I didn’t see spending “all that money”. We were going to have a small wedding but then it hit me. No matter the amount of spend, big or small, the end result is all the same. We still say our “I do’s” the exact same.

What I didn’t know at that time is that marriage isn’t built on one “I do.” I had no idea the roller coaster of marriage would be. And it’s not that we don’t get along. In fact, when we are in sync we can be dynamic. We really are each other’s half. But it’s buying a house, money problems, having a child, losing a loved one, making mistakes, etc. It’s all the time, we could have said, “I’m done” but we continued to choose each other. Marriage is built on a thousand little “I still do’s.”

It’s choosing patience when you’re tired, grace when it’s undeserved, and love when it would be easier to walk away. Marriage is hard. Not because you don’t love someone enough. Sometimes you just think the grass is greener on the other side. You know, the side you really don’t know but you made up in your head.

And if we’re being honest… that doesn’t just apply to marriage. That applies to our faith too.

Joshua 24:15 says, “Choose this day whom you will serve…” Not just once. Not just when life feels easy. But daily. Every single day, we’re given the opportunity to say: “God, I still choose You.” Even when we don’t understand. Even when we’re weary. Even when life doesn’t look like we thought it would. Because real love—whether it’s in marriage, in faith, or in life—isn’t a one-time decision. It’s a daily surrender. A daily commitment. A daily yes.

So as I celebrate a beautiful new beginning this weekend, I’m reminded of this: We don’t have to have it all figured out. We don’t have to feel strong every day. We just have to keep showing up… and keep choosing. Keep choosing love. Keep choosing faith. Keep choosing the life God has called you to live.

And some days, that choice might feel small. But those small, quiet “yeses”? They build something strong. Something lasting. Something God can use in ways we never imagined.

So today, whatever you’re facing—just start with a yes.

Motivational Monday

By Jennifer Robbins

On April 6, 2026

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! How was your Easter? Listen, we had a CROWD at church on Sunday and I LOVED EVERY MINUTE!!! I wish our church was packed like that every Sunday! Seriously, it warmed my heart.

I was thinking about today’s topic. Or maybe I should say, I was trying to figure out today’s topic. And I thought, “Well, Easter is over…” That’s when it hit me. After Jesus rose, then what? You know the drill, let’s talk about it.

Every year on my birthday, someone will inevitably ask, “How does it feel to be a year older?” such a dad joke…The answer is the same every year. “Well, no different than yesterday.” And that’s the truth. You don’t suddenly feel older. Kinda like the day after Jesus rose from the grave.

Easter Sunday is powerful. The tomb is empty. Jesus is risen. Death is defeated.

But then comes Monday… And if we’re honest, life doesn’t suddenly feel perfect after the miracle. Can you imagine all the ups and downs of the emotions in three days? Talk about roller coaster! And I’m just talking about the people who are like me and you! What about Jesus’s closest friends?

The disciples didn’t wake up the next day with everything figured out. They were still confused. Still afraid. Still unsure what came next. In John 20:19, we find them hiding behind locked doors.

Jesus had risen… and they were still hiding.

Let that sink in.

Because if we’re honest, we do the same thing. God moves in our lives. He answers prayers. He brings us through something hard… and yet we still find ourselves:

worried
doubting
unsure
hiding in fear

But here’s the part I love…Jesus didn’t wait for them to get it together. He came to them anyway.

“Peace be with you.” (John 20:19)

Not shame. Not disappointment. Not “why are you still like this?” Just… peace.

And then? He stayed. He taught them. He walked with them. He even cooked breakfast for them (John 21—don’t miss that part).

Because resurrection wasn’t the end of the story…It was the beginning of a relationship where Jesus meets us right where we are. Literally. Today. Right here. Right now.

So if today feels like a “now what?” kind of day…

If your faith is real but your feelings are messy…

If you’ve seen God move but you’re still a little stuck…

You’re in good company.

The same Jesus who walked into that locked room is still walking into our lives today. Not waiting for perfection. Just offering peace.

Take a breath this Monday…

You don’t have to have it all figured out. Man, I sure don’t!

Just don’t lock the door.

Love you all and see you Sunday,

Jennifer

Motivational Monday

By Jennifer Robbins

On March 30, 2026

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! We have a busy week this week at Spring Creek. Remember, we have the Maundy Thursday Service, Sonrise Service (remember, the men will feed you breakfast afterwards and I hear they throw down!) and Easter Sunday Service. I hope to see you at one or all the services!

Speaking of Easter. I’ve been thinking a lot about Easter lately—not just the celebration, not just the empty tomb—but what was left inside it. So you know the drill, let’s talk about it.

I have a very dear childhood friend who is a 46 year old mom, wife, teacher and sister in Christ who battled breast cancer. When I say she battled it, she fought it. And she fought it with pure grace and while wearing the armor of God. It was honestly beautiful. I can tell you stories for days that reflect her conviction for the Lord. This week, she had a setback. To be honest, we aren’t sure exactly what that setback is but we know there is something wrong. Could be something. Could be nothing. She physically is not her best and mentally, the stress is wearing on her. You know…fair. But this week, the Lord has shown her over and over and over again to lay down her burdens and to leave it.

When Peter stepped into the tomb, he didn’t just see that Jesus was gone… he saw the grave clothes. Folded. Left behind. (John 20:6–7)

And that detail stopped me. (The details in the Bible are always very intentional)

Because Jesus didn’t walk out of that grave dragging what had once held Him.

He left it there.

Here’s the question I can’t shake this week:

If the tomb is empty… why are we still wearing grave clothes?

I’m talking about the things we carry that God has already called us out of. The guilt from something we’ve already been forgiven for. The labels we picked up in a hard season. The habits we developed just trying to survive. The thoughts that whisper, “This is just who you are.” or “Why me?” Maybe those things made sense at one point. Maybe they even protected you.

But hear me gently— what helped you survive the grave was never meant to define your life outside of it.

In John 11:44, when Lazarus came out of the tomb, Jesus told the people around him, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”Even after he was brought back to life… he still needed help removing what had been wrapped around him.

That tells me something important:

Being brought out is one thing. Learning to live free is another.

Some of us are out… but we’re still wearing it.Still wearing shame. Still wearing fear. Still wearing old identities that no longer fit who God says we are.

And maybe it’s not because we want to—maybe it’s just because it’s familiar.

But Hebrews 12:1 reminds us to “throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.” You can’t walk in freedom while holding onto what buried you.

So maybe this week isn’t about striving harder or doing more.Maybe it’s about asking yourself: What am I still wearing that God already told me to leave behind?

And then—one piece at a time—letting it go.

Not perfectly. Not all at once. But intentionally.

Because 2 Corinthians 5:17 says that if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. The old is gone, the new is here.

That’s not just a nice idea. That’s truth.

Friend, if God brought you out of it…you don’t have to keep wearing it.

The tomb is empty. And you were never meant to live dressed for it.

Love you all,

Jennifer

Motivational Monday

By Jennifer Robbins

On March 23, 2026

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! This morning as I drove to work, NO ONE was on the road. Ya’ll. It was so nice. No school traffic. No one is about to run you over because they are more in a hurry than you. I wondered what was happening??! Why is no one working? Then, it hit me. Spring Break. And that immediately got me thinking about today’s motivation.

I am a planner that likes to wing it (does that make sense)? Anyway, I am not much of an overpacker or overthinker. But let me tell you who is…my mom and my sister! My sister is not as bad as my mother. My mother brings an entire pharmacy everywhere she goes for “you never know when you will need cortisone cream.” (like we far from the nearest Walmart 🙄). She is the queen of “just in case.” Just in case you need a bandaid. Just in case we suddenly become a completely different person who falls down while having a belly ache and a head ache, which has never happened in my 46 years*. But you never know! 😂

And then what happens?

She takes another piece of luggage for the “just in case items”. And nothing ever happens. And she ended up dragging around way more than she actually needed.

But isn’t it funny… how we do the exact same thing in life? Let’s talk about it.

We pack worry about things that haven’t even happened.
We carry guilt from things God has already forgiven.
We hold onto hurt that we were never meant to keep.
We take on responsibility that was never ours to begin with.

And then we wonder why we’re so tired.

Maybe we’re not just tired… maybe we’re overpacked.

The Bible tells us in Hebrews 12:1 to “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,.” That means some of the weight we’re carrying? We were never meant to keep it.

Some of us aren’t exhausted because life is hard…We’re exhausted because we’re carrying things God never asked us to carry.

We keep trying to fit it all in—fear, control, other people’s opinions, past mistakes—and then we’re surprised when we feel weighed down.

Spring break is a simple reminder: you can’t take everything with you. You have to choose.

So let me ask you—what are you holding onto that it’s time to leave behind? What would happen if this week, instead of trying to carry it all… you finally let some of it go?

Because here’s the truth: You were never meant to carry everything.

So maybe this week, we stop overpacking. Maybe we trust God enough to set some things down. And maybe… we finally travel a little lighter.

I hope you all have a wonderful, fun and safe Spring Break week!

Love you all,

Jennifer

*For the record, I adore my mother. I LOVE that she cares so much about other people’s needs. I wouldn’t trade that for the world.

Motivational Monday

By Jennifer Robbins

On March 16, 2026

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Yesterday at church we had our mission’s fundraiser and a time of fellowship together. There was food, conversation, laughter, and the simple joy of being in a room with people who love the Lord. Nothing flashy. Nothing complicated. Just people sharing a simple meal of soups and grilled cheeses and spending time together.

And it reminded me of something important. Let’s talk about it.

Yesterday, as most of you know, I was working at the mission’s lunch. I do this every year and honestly, I am exhausted afterwards. BUT! I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I genuinely enjoy cooking and serving everyone. But mostly, I enjoy talking and serving those who are also there to help. You usually get paired up with someone and you know them but you get to KNOW them when you work with them. And every year, I end up getting to know someone else even more than I did previously. Those very small details make me the happiest….truly.

So often we look for the big moments in life—the big blessings, the big answers to prayer, the big mountaintop experiences. But many times, God shows up in the quiet, ordinary moments along the way.

A conversation over lunch.
A laugh with a friend.
A shared table after church.

Those small moments are gifts.

Ecclesiastes 3:13 says, “also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.”

God designed us for community, for fellowship, and for joy in the everyday parts of life. Sometimes the blessing isn’t the destination. Sometimes the blessing is the journey itself.

Psalm 118:24 reminds us, “This is the day that the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”

So this week, don’t rush past the ordinary moments looking for something bigger. Slow down. Enjoy the conversation. Appreciate the people around you. Be grateful for the small blessings that fill your day.

Because often, that’s exactly where God is working.

Thank you to everyone who attended yesterday. The OutReach Team really appreciates it.

Love you all,

Jennifer

Motivational Monday

By Jennifer Robbins

On February 23, 2026

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! Were you able to hear Pastor Scott’s sermon yesterday? I loved it. It really hit home for me and it was on a topic that I know I was good on. 😂 If you didn’t hear it, no biggie, just go to facebook and it’s posted there.

As for this week’s motivation…

This morning when I woke up, I had a lot on my mind. Nothing life changing or worth noting really. Just things that I needed to do today. For the record, it was a very average day. Nothing big happened (which is usually GREAT news!). But I wasn’t able to complete what I felt like was something I needed to accomplish. No different than most Mondays. But at 7:03am, I am making a mental checklist of trying to manage a week that hasn’t happened. I am trying to control the future. Does that resonate with you? Let’s talk about it.

We can give one hundred percent at a job and it still may not be enough. We can extensively prepare for an important event and plans may still go awry. We can love and care for others and still be misunderstood, even hated. We can raise our kids to follow Christ and they can still walk away from the faith. On a logical level, we can know that God is in control and we are not. Yet, how many of us tire ourselves out each day searching for answers and fighting for control over things that we physically can not change?

What does it look like to honestly surrender to God when we’re scared and overwhelmed by what could happen? Well, let’s be honest here. Surrender feels like we are giving in or worse, giving up. We think it’s a sign of hopelessness but as a christian, that can’t be further from the truth. Surrender is an opportunity for dependence. It’s an opportunity to actively dwell in the reality of our own inadequacy. Jennifer, you are really selling it here. 🙄 But, surrender is recognizing that He is the omnipotent God, who works all things for good (and we are flawed, limited, sinful beings unable to save ourselves).

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” Psalm 1:1-3

Okay, so why is surrender so hard? Well, there are three main reasons. First, it’s a lack of knowledge- meaning, we know the answer better than anyone (yep, including God!). Second, would be impatience. We want it fixed NOW! And third, we want it all pain free. We don’t want to suffer through anything. We just want to make it all go away as quickly as possible. And bonus reason! You have trust issues! You don’t fully trust He has your back.

Why should we surrender? It takes discipline. Discipline is part of our walk with Christ. Think about someone you trust. That relationship is intimate. Well, why would your relationship be different with God if you trusted Him? It strengthens that bond and forms intimacy. Surrender isn’t something that is a maybe…it’s a must. Especially in today’s world. There are so many things that are beyond our control.

My Monday didn’t go as planned. Let me rephrase that. Monday didn’t go as I planned it. It wasn’t a bad day. It wasn’t a good day. It was the day that God planned for me to have. Instead of being disappointed, I should feel relieved. Relieved to know that He is more than a safety net. He’s our harness.

Love you all,

Jennifer

Motivational Monday

By Jennifer Robbins

On December 29, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. I hope you spent time with family and/or friends.

Just a reminder, we will be having our 7 days of prayer and fasting. Prayer time starts Thursday, January 1st in the Sanctuary and continues each morning through the following Wednesday, January 7th. The fasting part is left up to each individual. Fasting is going without food mainly, and/or going without some other activity that would be considered a sacrifice. It can be a total fast of food, or partial, like going without sweets, or meats, or snacks. The prayer time is usually no more than 45 minutes. Get there when you can and leave when you need to.

Thursday, January 1st—9:00am
Friday—7:00am
Saturday and Sunday —9:00am
Monday thru Wednesday—7:00am

That reminder is a great segway into today’s topic. The new year is a sign of a new beginning. I know a lot of you set resolutions. Personally, I don’t. I set goals. I know what you’re thinking…what’s the difference? The difference is how my brain works! 🙂 Goals are something I want to achieve and resolutions are disappointments if I don’t achieve them. Again, Jennifer’s brain. If you are like me, you set goals in different parts of your life (spiritually, financially, etc.). This year my goal is God first. So, let’s talk about it.

When it comes to my church family, I have a difficult time saying no. I tend to overthink everything. I think, “I say no to this, then someone else will have to pick up the slack. I’ll just do it.” Or, I feel like if I say no then in my crazy brain that equals, “I am not serving the Lord”. But in reality, I am pushing myself away from Him. Instead of enjoying my time serving, I am sometimes irritated and/or stressed instead of happy. When I become overwhelmed or overextended, I tend to shut down. I don’t have the right attitude and I miss church on Sunday mornings. Which makes me feel EVEN MORE guilty.

Let’s talk about some ways you can put God first this year.

First, read your Bible. I am 45 years old and had never read the Bible all the way though until 2 years ago. I read the Bible but not from cover to cover. Why? Well, frankly, it’s long. And have you ever read Numbers? There are parts that are boring and there are A LOT of parts I don’t understand. But just understand that the boring parts are usually references for other parts of the Bible. As for the parts you don’t understand…listen. If you don’t read it, you 100% won’t understand it. If we all understood it the first time we read it, then we wouldn’t study it, would we?

Second, spend time in prayer. When I wake up in the middle of the night (which is frequently these days), I don’t reach for my phone. I lay there and pray. And I’ll go ahead and tell God, “Hey God. I am going to pray myself asleep so I may not say Amen. But just know I meant it.” I feel like that covers me! But dedicate time for prayer. It’s amazing how blessed you will be through prayer.

Third, be careful what you take in. I have a love/hate relationship with social media. I despise all the negativity it can spread. But on the flip side, look at all the positivity it spreads. At the end of the day, you determine what you read, hear and see. Sure. There are times we see things that we didn’t sign up to see. But that’s where prayer comes into play, right? Your focus needs to stay on God. And if something isn’t pointing to Him, STOP! Stop watching. Stop reading. Stop listening. Just stop.

And lastly, set boundaries. This is where my story comes into play. By setting boundaries, it gives us time to worship and pray. Have you ever been in the middle in prayer and immediately thought of something you need to do? Maybe that’s just me. But you HAVE TO set aside time. It’s ok to tell others about your boundaries. When you tell them, explain why. THis is a perfect opportunity to witness to them.

I told you all of these things like I abide by them. Clearly, I don’t but I want to. I think I used this as a pep talk to myself. 🙂. So, for the month of January, I will be taking a break from Motivational Monday. Not because I don’t love you all, I just want to be properly guided by Him. If there is something I feel passionate to write, then I will. But if I don’t, I want you all to know why. I am trying to realign with Him. And I know you all understand.

Happy New Year and love you all,

Jennifer

Motivational Monday- Advent Series

By Jennifer Robbins

On December 22, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! Well, this is the week! We are gearing up for the day we have been talking about this whole month. CHRISTMAS!! As a reminder, we will be having our Christmas Eve service at 6pm. If you have never been, please come. It is really beautiful, quiet and just a way to reflect on the reason for the season. I know we are all super busy but if you can, please come. And bring someone with you!

Today is the last day of our Advent series. On Christmas Eve, we will light the Christ candle. Let’s talk about it.

So as you have been following along in our series, all of the outside candles have been lit. As a recap, we have lit the hope, peace, joy and love candle. The last candle not lit is the center candle. This candle is referred to as the Christ candle. The Christ candle is in the center because the Christ candle reminds us that Jesus is the center of Christmas. The four outer candles are all important, but they only make sense with Jesus at the center. Yes, Christmas is a time of hope, peace, joy and love, but once again, this is only because of Jesus.

Without Christ, there is no hope. When we looked at hope in the advent season, we talked about the hope in Christ gets you through the waiting. And we saw that hope in Christ does not disappoint. (Romans 5:5) All real hope in the world is centered on Christ. You see, Christmas is all about hope because it’s all about Christ. God sent his Son into the world so you and I have hope. We have hope today because Christ is with us. We have hope tomorrow because Christ will never leave us. And we have hope for eternity, because Christ is coming back to take us to be with him forever.

Without Christ, there is no peace. Jesus came to save us from our sins so that we could be restored with our relationship with God. When you trust Christ, you enjoy a wonderful peace in your heart, a personal peace that is unlike anything you can find in the world. I know what you are thinking here. Jennifer, I have peace in my heart but what about the world? Our world is severely lacking Jesus. You can’t look at religious or political leaders for peace. You have to seek the Prince of Peace.

Without Christ, there is no joy. Jesus brings the joy of salvation. Joy is sharing good news. Joy leads to praise. This is evident by the shepherds sharing the good news of Jesus’s birth. Joy is so much deeper than happiness. In fact, Christmas time can be an unhappy time for people. But Jesus brings joy to help sustain us when we are feeling every emotion. By having joy, that doesn’t mean you won’t ever be sad or mad. It means in your saddest or maddest hour, God is with you. And because He is with you, you experience true joy.

Without Christ, there is no real love. God showed us an immense amount of love by sending us His only son to sacrifice. The story of Christmas is all about love, because Christmas is all about Jesus. The Bible says: “In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:9-10). God is love, and all love comes from him. There is no real love without Christ.

A lot of people celebrate Christmas and they are not christian. What they love about it is the lights, the decorations, the gift giving and receiving, and just the overall feeling they have during this time. But you want all those things with the Christ part. Kinda like wanting hope, peace, joy and love. I think most people genuinely do want those things. But Christ is the center, and we only enjoy the good things of Christmas because of him.

I want to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas.

Love you all,

Jennifer

Motivational Monday- Advent Series

By Jennifer Robbins

On December 15, 2025

In Motivational Monday, News and Announcements

Hey friends! Today I wanted to continue our series on Advent. This past Sunday we lit the Joy candle and next will be Love. In our Motivational Monday’s, we talk about joy and love frequently but how does this play a part in the Christmas season? Well, let’s talk about it.

The third candle to be lit is the joy candle or also known as the “Shepherd’s Candle”. I’ve always been drawn to the shepherds in the Bible (probably because I’m just a regular person). If we look at this from the sheep’s perspective, what do they have that can defend them from predators? These fluffy, white poofs don’t have sharp teeth. They are really sweet and surprisingly intelligent. That’s why they flock together…for survival. But, if something comes after the flock that wants a snack, one of them is not going to win. They honestly depend solely on something or someone to protect them. The shepherd.

The shepherds were just ordinary people like me and you. The night of Jesus’s birth, they were guarding the sheep from predators.

“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

‘Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!’

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 known 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. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.” Luke 2:8-20

God chose these ordinary people to share the news of His son’s birth first. Not kings. While the difference is noticeable, it fits well with everything else we’ve seen about Jesus’ birth. Mary and Joseph didn’t stand out from the crowd. Again, they were plain ole people. Bethlehem was a small, unremarkable town. Jesus’ first cradle was a feeding trough. The list goes on.

His birth brought…joy. Of course, it’s a baby! All babies bring joy. This is true but His birth is different. He was bringing us salvation.

And does joy bring? Love.

The fourth (but not last) candle is the Love candle or the “Angel’s Candle”. An angel is a created being and not humans who passed away and became angels (Hebrews 1:14). They are messengers (Messengers: The word “angel” means messenger. They bring God’s words, instructions, and warnings, often appearing as men (Genesis 18, Acts 10), servants (Psalm 148, Isaiah 6, Revelation 4-5), protectors:, as seen with Elisha (2 Kings 6) and Paul (Acts 27), agents of judgment (2 Samuel 24, Acts 12), involved in Jesus’ life, fighters (Daniel 10, Revelation 12), and play eschatological role (Matthew 24, Revelation 16).

With all that scripture (and that’s just a smidgen), I think it’s safe to say, they are pretty important.

God sent His angels four different times to prepare people for Jesus’ arrival. In Luke 1:5-25, the angel Gabriel appeared to Zechariah the priest to tell him that he would have a son (John the Baptist) whom God would use to prepare people for Jesus’ coming. Later, Gabriel came to Mary in Luke 1:26-38 to prepare her to become Jesus’ mother. Shortly thereafter, Joseph received a visit from an angel who told him about Mary’s miraculous pregnancy (Matthew 1:18-25). On the night Jesus was born, a whole company of angels announced His birth to a stunned group of shepherds (Luke 2:8-20).

So the angels brought the message of love…Jesus. The Bible affirms that and that his sending Jesus into the world was an act of perfect love (1 John 4:8-12). Jesus loved people, and yet he didn’t try to always be nice to people. Sometimes, he pushed people to consider what they really believed if they really wanted to follow him (Mark 10:17-27). Sometimes, he got them to admit their mistakes to see how much they needed God (John 4:1-42). Throughout his ministry, he maintained that the key to finding God was not to “follow your heart” but to follow him and obey his teachings.

This week, I want to challenge you to see the story of Jesus’ arrival in a fresh way. Pray that He will show you aspects you haven’t seen before and help you to see the familiar in a fresh light.

By His grace may our joy and love grow as the day we celebrate Jesus’ birth draws near.

Love you all,

Jennifer