Glory to the world and the world.

Yes, joy to the world.

Friends, welcome back to the Wild at Heart Podcast, John Eldridge here,

in the third week of Advent, the week of December 13th.

Christmas is actually next week.

We will celebrate the fourth Sunday of Advent in about seven days,

and then after that, the Saturday following is Christmas, so I thought it would be good

to come back this week to Advent, Advent themes.

In the third week, we light the joy candle, often called the Shepherds' candle.

The obvious connection there, because they were the ones to whom joy was announced,

and they were thrilled and filled with joy.

I want to explore some of these themes with us, see if we can find that joy for ourselves.

So let's pick up appropriately with the Shepherds' story from Luke chapter 2,

and there were Shepherds living out in the fields nearby, nearby Bethlehem,

keeping watch over their flocks at night.

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shown around them,

and they were terrified.

But the angel said to them, do not be afraid, I bring you good news that will cause great joy

for all the people. Today, in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you.

He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be assigned to you.

You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.

Suddenly, a great company of the Heavenly Host appeared with the angel, praising God and

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