In this second week of advent, let’s take a look at both the second and third candles: the Angel and the Shepherd candle.
As I thought about these two groups, I realized they played two very specific roles in the birth of the Savior: the angels proclaimed God’s glory, and the shepherds bore witness to what God did.
All through Scripture, angels bring us messages. They speak God’s truth so that we may understand what God is asking of us. They announce His intent and, at times, His judgment. In essence, these glorious, majestic, even terrifying beings act as a bridge between we humans and God.
As for the shepherds, I find God’s choice of choosing them as witnesses to the birth of His son, the Savior of mankind, especially moving. In Bible times, shepherds were so discounted, so loathed they weren’t allowed to be witnesses in any kind of trial. How like God, to choose choosing what man has deemed worthless and use it to bring honor to His name.
As writers, we serve in both of these capacities for our readers. We proclaim God’s truths, and we bear witness to who He is and what He has done and is doing. So as we move through this second week of Advent, ask youself:
What has God asked you to proclaim about Him and for Him?
What about Him—His love, His goodness, His holiness–have you witnessed?
For me as a writer, I proclaim His love of family. Every book I write honors, in some way, the blessings God has given us in family—even families that are broken. In every family, if we have our eyes and heart open, we can see God.
As for what I’ve witnessed, I was just talking with a friend about that this morning. I’ve witnessed, time and again, how God’s Words is alive and vital and at work. I’ve experience the power of those words penned centuries ago, seen how they are more than just ink on a page. They are TRUTH, shared with us by a God who loves us more than we’ll ever understand.
So how about you?
The Year of a Bad Book
Ms Ball, thank you for this.
I’m working to ensure that the books I would write tell about and show God’s Love. His love for the family, the church and mostly those that feel least deserving of it.
What I’ve witnessed about God? The not much years I’ve lived as a Christian has seen me experience mercy in profound ways. So also is the effect of faith-filled prayer.
I hope I’d do a good job of proclaiming the Love of our God.
A wonderful goal, Michael!
I forgot the part where I’d love to write that God alone is Good. And always, I’d seek to write truth as Francine Rivers advised.
Karen, your two questions are great conversation starters. Your ears may be ringing this month as I give you credit for these two questions as table topics as I speak at Christmas teas this year.
Shine on in your serve in the new year.
Here’s to great conversations! Enjoy.
It would be easy to give a microwave answer to your questions but they deserve a marinade and then a slow cooker reflection.
Redemption. Family. These are the common themes I feel God has placed in my heart as a writer. A message is delivered through a character who fights against but finally surrenders and accepts God’s grace and redemption…through a family broken by tragedy or betrayal that can now heal.
In my life, I am constantly amazed by God’s grace. I grew up thinking believers had two lists to live by… the “do this” list and the “don’t do” list, which caused a constant sense of failure and guilt to overshadow God’s love and grace. As an adult, I learned to discern between man’s rules and God’s call for obedience. To quote Bob Goff (LOVE DOES), I understand what it means to “live in grace, walk in love.”