This is part of the worship series,
"Six Biblical Characters, Six Traditions of Faith”
Series Introduction
Advent 1 | Advent 2 | Advent 3 | Advent 4
Christmas Eve/Day | Christmas 1
Fourth Sunday of advent
The Charismatic Stream: The Shepherds
Reading for the Lighting of the Advent Candle
The Advent wreath is a circle with no beginning and no end. It is a symbol of God’s unending love and faithfulness.
The shepherds were the first to hear the joyful announcement of Christ’s birth—the “good news of great joy for all the people.” (Luke2:10)
Upon seeing the baby Jesus, the shepherds “spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed.” (Luke 2:18)
We have also heard this wonderful news. We “welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 1:6)
“Though you have not seen Jesus, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him.” (1 Peter 1:8)
And we “are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.” (1 Peter 1:8)
All sing: “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” (st. 2) Van Dyke
Scripture
2 Samuel 7:1–11, 16
Song setting of Psalm 89: “I Will Sing of the Mercies of the Lord” Fillmore and Post
or “My Song Forever Shall Record” Hamburg
Romans 16:25–27
Sermon Text: Luke 2:8–20
Sermon-Building Ideas
Richard Foster calls the charismatic tradition “a life immersed in, empowered by, and under the direction of the Spirit of God” (Streams, p. 132). When Reformed Christians hear the word charismatic, they often think of ecstatic worship or an emphasis on supernatural gifts like speaking in tongues or prophecy. How surprised many of them are to hear that John Calvin is known as “the theologian of the Holy Spirit!”
At the heart of this stream is the simple truth that the Holy Spirit is the means by which we are brought to faith in Jesus Christ. When this happens, as the shepherds wonderfully model for us, two important things occur:
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Joy and witness. Ecstasy and evangelism. Both are key ingredients of a well-rounded Christian life.
Prayer
The feast day of your birth resembles you, Lord, because it brings joy to all humanity. Old people and infants alike enjoy your day. Your day is celebrated from generation to generation. Kings and emperors may pass away, and the festivals to commemorate them soon lapse. But your festival will be remembered till the end of time. Your day is a means and a pledge of peace. At your birth, heaven and earth were reconciled; since you came from heaven to earth on that day you forgave our sins and wiped away our guilt. You gave us so many gifts on your birthday: a treasure chest of spiritual medicines for the sick; spiritual light for those that are blind; the cup of salvation for the thirsty; the bread of life for the hungry. In the winter when trees are bare, you give us the most succulent spiritual fruit. In the frost when the earth is barren, you bring new hope to our souls. In December when seeds are hidden in the soil, the staff of life springs from the virgin womb. Amen.
—Ephraim the Syrian from The Complete Book of Christian Prayer, p. 377.
This prayer was written by Ephraim the Syrian (c. 306–373), biblical exegete and poet who was the most distinguished theologian and hymn writer of the ancient Syrian Church. A deacon, he recognized the value of including music in worship services early in his ministry, and his many exegetical and theological writings were written mostly in verse.
Song Suggestions
“While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks” Tate and Gray
“Angels We Have Heard on High” Barnes
“Go, Tell It on the Mountain” Smith
“Good News” Sleeth
“While by the Sheep We Watched at Night” Traditional German carol
“Spirit Song” Wimber
Revised Common Lectionary
Years A, B, C: Christmas—Nativity of the Lord
Year B: Advent—Fourth Sunday of Advent
