Christmas 2019 - Shepherds' Watch

8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see--I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." (Luke 2:8-12)

Outside of Mary and Joseph, a group of shepherds were the first to hear of Jesus' birth. Shepherds, considered lowly professionally and otherwise - living on the outskirts of Bethlehem (the City of David, the David who started as a shepherd and became a king) - were on the fringes of society and would not normally be the first to hear anything. But God was doing a new thing.

What started from a single angelic messenger became high praise from a multitude of angels. All of this fanfare to inspire these shepherds to go, see for themselves, and become the first witnesses to God's promise-keeping power in the form of a vulnerable baby. Of course they would go, of course they would see, and of course they would tell. Amazed that the majesty of God would shine on those living on the margins, those of fragile social standing, they shared the absurd news that God would save God's people through a seemingly insignificant baby, born to a seemingly insignificant girl.

If we are willing to be relieved of our false understandings of power and place we, too, will be amazed at the continual breaking through of God into the world through the seemingly insignificant. God is always doing a new thing.

Come Lord Jesus!

9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God. 14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father's only son, full of grace and truth. (John 1:9-14)