And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 

And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 

And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 

Verse 1
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o'er the plains
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains

Chorus
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo

Verse 2
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why your joyous strains prolong?
Say what may the tidings be
Which inspire your heavenly song

Chorus
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo

Verse 3
Come to Bethlehem and see
Him Whose birth the angels sing
Come, adore on bended knee
Christ the Lord, the newborn King

Chorus
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo

Verse 4
See within in a manger laid
Jesus Lord of Heav'n and Earth
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid
With us sing our Savior's birth

Chorus
Gloria in excelsis Deo
Gloria in excelsis Deo

This third candle is pink and symbolizes rejoicing.

During the third week of Advent, we are filled with joy for the near arrival of Jesus on Christmas Day, similar to the joy the shepherds felt at the birth of Christ. 

Our reading is from ‭‭Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭15‬-‭20‬:

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 

And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 

And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.

How is Jesus inviting you to experience greater joy this Advent?

We believe in God,

the Father almighty,

Creator of heaven and earth,

--

and in Jesus Christ, 

God's only Son, our Lord, 

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the Virgin Mary,

--

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died and was buried;

he descended to the dead;

--

on the third day he rose again;

he ascended into heaven,

and is seated at the right hand 

of the Father;

--

He will come to judge 

the living and the dead.

--

We believe in the Holy Spirit,

one holy Church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and life everlasting. Amen.

Verse 1
O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear

Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel

Verse 2
O come, O come, Thou Lord of might
Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height
In ancient times didst give the law
In cloud, and majesty and awe

Refrain
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel

Verse 3
O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan's tyranny
From depths of hell Thy people save
And give them victory o'er the grave

Verse 1
Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.

Israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.

Verse 2
Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.

By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.

Preserve me, O God, 

for in you I take refuge. 

I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; 

I have no good apart from you.” 

--

As for the saints in the land, 

they are the excellent ones, 

in whom is all my delight. 

--

The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply; 

their drink offerings of blood I will not pour out or take their names on my lips. 

The Lord is my chosen portion 

and my cup; you hold my lot. 

The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places. I have a beautiful inheritance. 

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel; in the night also my heart instructs me. 

--

I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, 

I shall not be shaken. 

--

Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. 

--

For you will not abandon my soul 

to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. 

--

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; 

at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Verse 1

O Hark the Spirit, Hear the Bride

Come join the feast of mercy

Their call is ringing far and wide

Come join the feast of mercy

Your labor cannot satisfy

So without money come and buy

Linger no longer, come inside

And join the feast of mercy

Verse 2

Behold the weight of Heaven's love

Here at the feast of mercy

Redemption by His precious blood

Here at the feast of mercy

The Son of Man was lifted up

To drain God's wrath and ransom us

And now we drink this gracious cup

Here at the feast of mercy

Verse 3

Remember Christ who died our death

Look on the price of mercy

Emptied of honor, wrapped in flesh

Look on the price of mercy

His body broken in our stead

Joined us to God and paid our debt

Our portion here is Living Bread

How great the price of mercy

Verse 4

A day is coming wait and see

When we shall dine in glory

We'll join the One who makes us clean

With every Saint adoring

Sing Alleluia, glory give

To Jesus Christ who ever lives

We'll sing this anthem without end

Unto the Lamb most worthy

Ending

Until that day of Christ our Lord

We seek His strength, we preach His Word

And join our lives in one accord

To share this feast of mercy