CATECHESIS OF THE MEANING AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE THIRD CANDLE OF ADVENT (JOY OR SHEPHERD’S CANDLE).

As we continue to approach Christmas Day, our joy grows more and more. The third candle takes us back to the joyful anticipation of the shepherds who journeyed to see Jesus in Bethlehem, even before the wise men. According to the Gospel of Luke (2:8-20), the shepherds were among the first to hear the good news of Jesus' birth from the angel. The shepherds' reaction to the announcement was one of great joy and excitement as they went to find the newborn King. The story of the shepherds embodies the joy of the Gospel message.