that shepherds' eve

 

It was a night like any other night.  Calm. Quiet. As the darkness deepened, the night sky revealed the constellations.  They sat on a hill above the flock, resting yet vigilant.  Wind gently blew with the sound of the sheep occasionally rising.  Crickets seemed to sing a gentle lullaby. The calmness was welcomed for the days were long, dusty and hot. Life was hard, especially under Roman rule.  Many didn’t even own their own animals.  The work was tiresome, tending to flocks with the goal of producing certain quantities of wool and milk products.  But when night came, the turmoil of all that was life seemed to fade. 

Then everything changed.

A piercing light appeared in the dark.  An overwhelming sense of awe seemed to flow from the source of light.  The shepherds themselves were overcome as a proclamation was heard through a voice that shook the core of there souls and they fell to their knees. “An angel of the LORD appeared to them and the glory of the LORD shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all people.  Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the LORD.  This will be a sign to you:  You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. ‘Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace, good will toward men.’” And the angels left.  The dark of night returned.  The sound of the sheep and crickets floated gently.  While all seemed to settle to the routine, everything had changed, nothing was the same.  These men left everything on those hills to go and see that which was proclaimed.  Upon witnessing the fulfillment of the message, each of their lives—their very beings—were so transformed that their purposes from then on were to glorify and praise God for all the things they had heard and seen; and to spread the word that the Messiah had come.

 

For us, this day may start like any other day.  Day in, day out we go about routine.  We work.  We struggle with meeting deadlines, completing routines, tackling tasks and schedules, and meeting needs.  The days are tiresome.  This day ends and we attempt to break away from the distractions and find rest.  And we pause in the midst of preparations for a holiday that seem to overwhelm with endless lists, planning and tasks. 

Candles pierce the darkness that envelopes today’s world and its daily oppression.  An overwhelming sense of awe flows into our soul and we are witness to the experience of the shepherds.  We enter the timeless presence of the Messiah and the glory of the LORD shines around us.  We are brought good news that brings great joy.  We find a baby wrapped in cloths lying in a manger.

 

It is my prayer for you this Christmas Eve that you hear and see.  May you find the fulfillment of the Word’s proclamation.  May you find the glory of the LORD shining around you.  As this eve gives way to a Christmas morn, may you experience a Light that shines through the chaos of this world; that shines through the daily tasks and routines; that shines through whatever apathy, anxiety, darkness, shadows or brokenness that may weigh in your life.  May you be renewed, transformed and filled with joy so you return glorifying and praising God.  And when needed, may you be reminded of the greatest gift and love of all—given in a manger and through the cross. May you forever know…

 

“The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.”  John 1:5