This morning, I was reading the second chapter of the Gospel as told by Luke, and of course my mind drifted off to Linus. But it went to something else too. It went to the dark hills outside of Bethlehem, where shepherds were spending the night as their sheep settled into sleep.
Can anyone imagine sitting quietly in that humble task, surrounded by the sheep and the stars of a night sky, when suddenly there appears an angel shining in the glory of the Lord? At times I’m overwhelmed as it is just reading words like this in the Bible. I couldn’t imagine being there for the actual events…for this event. These guys were a bunch of nobodies – unknown to anyone but their families and perhaps the few friends they could have. They were doing hard work that didn’t lend itself to such luxury. And yet, there stands an angel of the Lord, announcing the greatest event in human history up to that time. What kind of excitement – or bewilderment — must they have felt when they decided to go over to Bethlehem to get a look at what this was all about?
The joy of Christmas. When you think about it, it should be the daily anticipation of an encounter with God. And better yet, as we’re approaching Easter this year, we should hold onto that anticipation knowing that the baby born in Bethlehem faced a lifetime that was cut short for our sakes, but only to purchase our eternity with him.
Christmas day is usually a day of joy, anticipation, and excitement; especially for children. But knowing this – that Christ came that day, and then lived a life to die for us and be raised again on the third day – should make us feel those emotions every day.
Events of our lives may toss us like rag dolls, but this is certainly something to put that all out of our view as we turn to the true light that came into the world. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.” Indeed.
“8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 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. 10 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. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and 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 among those with whom he is pleased!”
15 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.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them.”
Amen.