2025.12.14.Sermon Notes. ADVENT WEEK 3 - JOY - Luke 2:8-14
William Akehurst, HSWC
(The Shepherd’s Candle)
Forward- My Jewish Learning: Tonight is the first night of Hanukkah beginning at sundown and lasts until sundown on Monday, December 22, 2025.
Celebration Activities
• Lighting the Menorah candle: At sundown, Light one candle on the menorah (hanukkiah) using the shamash (helper candle).
• Blessings: Recite the blessings for lighting the candles.
• Traditional Foods: Enjoy oil-based foods like latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts).
• Games and Songs: Play dreidel and sing Hanukkah songs.
Significance
Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem and the miracle of the oil (only enough for one day) that lasted eight days. The festival lasts for eight nights, with one additional candle lit each night.
SCRIPTURES: Luke 2:8-20, Isaiah 9:2-3, Isaiah 9:6-7, John 15:11, Philippians 4:4-7, Nehemiah 8:10, Galatians 5:22-23, 1 Peter 1:8-9
KEY WORDS: Joy, Good News, Shepherds, Praise, Emmanuel, Strength, Witness, Rejoice, Presence, Advent, Advent Week 3
BIG IDEA
True joy is found in the presence of JESUS - a joy the world cannot give and the world cannot take away.
INTRODUCTION
Advent reminds us that we live between two arrivals: Christ has come, and Christ will come again.
Each week, a candle is lit to reveal another facet of GOD ’s promise fulfilled in JESUS. (reminded me of Hanukkah which begins tonight)
This week would mark the lighting of the third candle known as the Shepherd’s Candle, or the Candle of Joy. Traditionally it is pink, symbolizing rejoicing and celebration.
Joy breaks into darkness.
Joy interrupts fear.
Joy transforms despair into hope.
And this joy does not come from circumstances…
This Joy comes from CHRIST.
Our text for today begins with one special night, and some shepherds tending their sheep.
Luke 2:8-14 (NKJV)
8 Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10 Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11 For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising GOD and saying:
14 “Glory to GOD in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
I. JOY ANNOUNCED
The first announcement of JESUS’ birth is not given to dignitaries or rulers, but to shepherds - the forgotten ones, the outcasts, the ordinary, those living in the fields and in the dark.
GOD ’s glory shines, fear rises - but then heaven declares and the angels proclaim:
Luke 2:10-11 “I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.”
“For there is born to you… a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”
Joy is not a human achievement…
Joy is GOD ’s revelation.
Joy is born with JESUS.
Joy is universal, offered to the lowly first. Heaven went looking for the ones the world ignored. Joy arrives where it’s least expected.
Luke’s message:
Joy begins when JESUS is revealed.
This fulfills the ancient prophecy…
Isaiah 9:2-3 (NKJV)
2 The people who walked in darkness
Have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,
Upon them a light has shined.
3 You have multiplied the nation
And increased its joy;
They rejoice before You
According to the joy of harvest,
As men rejoice when they divide the spoil.
Vs 1 “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light…”
Isaiah foresaw a coming King who would break the yoke of bondage and increase their joy.
HOW?
Isaiah 9:6-7 (NKJV)
6 For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty GOD ,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
“For unto us a Child is born… and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty GOD …”
Isaiah declares joy as a promise.
Luke declares joy as a Person.
Isaiah points forward to the Light.
Luke proclaims - the Light has come.
The angel said:
“I bring you good tidings of great joy… to all people.”
Not just some.
Not just the deserving.
To all.
Joy begins when the Good News is received. Heaven’s announcement becomes earth’s celebration.
Joy starts with JESUS.
II. JOY EXPERIENCED
JESUS is the source of joy - not a feeling, not a result of things going well, but Emmanuel - GOD with us.
Joy does not end at the manger - it becomes a living reality in us.
JESUS teaches:
John 15:11 These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
Joy is not:
• an emotion,
• a moment,
• or a mood.
Joy is His presence dwelling inside us - Emmanuel: GOD with us.
Joy is GOD ’s presence within, not circumstances around.
• Happiness changes with conditions
• Joy remains through storms
• The world can steal happiness
• But the world cannot take JESUS
And therefore, it cannot take your joy.
When Christ enters the heart… joy enters the life.
JOY AS STRENGTH - Nehemiah 8:10
Israel heard GOD ’S WORD and wept.
Conviction turned to sorrow - but GOD redirected them through Nehemiah:
Nehemiah 8:10 Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.
Joy doesn’t deny tears — Joy transforms tears into strength.
• Luke shows joy replacing fear – as courage
• Isaiah shows joy replacing darkness – as light
• John shows joy replacing emptiness – as being full
• Nehemiah shows joy replacing weakness – as strength
Joy is the power to keep believing.
III. JOY PROCLAIMED
Luke 2:15-20 (NKJV)
15 So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. 17 Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. 18 And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20 Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising GOD for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.
When the shepherds experienced joy, they shared joy.
Luke 2:17 “They made widely known the saying…”
Joy is not silent.
Joy overflows.
Joy overflows into testimony.
Joy doesn’t hide - joy speaks.
Joy multiplies when proclaimed.
Fear keeps us quiet …
but joy breaks the silence.
When JESUS is real to us, we cannot keep Him to ourselves.
This is exactly the command of Scripture:
JOY LIVED OUT – Philippians 4:4-7
Philippians 4:4-7 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!
5 Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand.
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to GOD ; 7 and the peace of GOD, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ JESUS.
Paul, writing from prison, says: “Rejoice in the LORD always.”
Joy is not tied to comfort.
Joy is anchored in CHRIST.
Because joy leads to peace:
“…and the peace of GOD… will guard your hearts and minds…”
Joy guards your mind.
Joy keeps you steady.
Joy witnesses to the world even in hardship.
Just as the shepherds took joy from the field to the town, we carry joy from worship to the world.
REFLECT
• Where are you searching for joy? In possessions, approval, success, comfort?
Or in JESUS, the only joy that remains?
• Who around you feels forgotten or overlooked like the shepherds?
Will you bring them joy by bringing them JESUS?
• Is your joy silent or shared?
Who will you proclaim CHRIST to this week?
Joy is a fruit of the Spirit - Joy is a sign that CHRIST is alive in you.
Galatians 5:22-23 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
WHAT KIND OF JOY IS THIS?
1 Peter 1:8-9
8 …Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
CALL TO WORSHIP RESPONSE
Today, GOD still announces joy to you:
• Joy that forgives your past,
• Joy that strengthens your present,
• Joy that secures your future.
Christ came to bring joy to your heart, your home, your life.
Receive the Joy of CHRIST. Rejoice in the LORD. Reveal HIS joy to others.
Did you know, the greatest news of the whole world rests on 8 notes of the D scale.
(To Pianist) play a “D” scale. 12345678 ascending
Now play it the other way. Descending (87654321)
Doesn’t sound like much more than a scale, because we forgot the pauses.
Now pause on the 1st,2nd,-, 4th, -,6th, 7th, 8th notes
Now Let’s pause to sing the greatest message to the whole world.
Hymn#27 - JOY TO THE WORLD – THE LORD HAS COME!
PRAYER
OUR LORD, SAVIOR and KING JESUS, thank YOU for breaking into our darkness with great joy.
Fill us with the joy that remains, no matter the trial.
Help us to rejoice always,
to share the Good News boldly,
and to live as witnesses of YOUR Presence.
Let YOUR Joy be our strength this week.
In YOUR Mighty Name, JESUS, we pray, Amen.
HYMN SUGGESTIONS
127 Rejoice the Lord is King
33 Angels We Have Heard on High
27 Joy to the World
How Great Our Joy
Good Christian Men, Rejoice
Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers
