Don't Miss The Gift
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." 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 heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. (Luke 2:10-16)
The shepherds were minding their business (their literal business of tending sheep) when an angel showed up. They had no reason to expect such an experience, yet they received the messenger - followed by a multitude of angels - with an eagerness that led to obedience.
As we approach another COVID Christmas, we might be tempted to quell our excitement, to not anticipate much, to send our joy into hibernation in hopes that everything will be better later. Maybe if we were greeted by angels telling us where to find something amazing, we might be able to embrace the exuberance of those shepherds. But, the good news given to the shepherds was not just that they would find a baby lying in the feeding trough of animals, but that they would find the fulfillment of God's promise - that God was with them - and cherish the
knowledge that they were not forgotten.
God continues to reveal this truth to us if only we are willing to look. In the book "The Color Purple" the character Shug breaks it down this way:
“I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don't notice it. People think pleasing God is all God cares about. But any fool living in the world can see [God] always trying to please us back.” ― Alice Walker, The Color Purple
The circumstances of Jesus' birth were far from ideal: the obedience of Mary and Joseph would have led to their being talked about and ostracized, Jesus' life was in danger the moment he was conceived, the shepherds were surely thought to be crazy. Jesus' birth didn't make anyone's life easier, it made relationship with God possible. At Christmas we are reminded of the miracle of God's continued presence despite our unreadiness. We are in the wrong place at the wrong time, yet God finds us. We are not the people God wants us to be, yet God chooses to be with us. May we receive this gift with great joy in spite of ourselves.
17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. (Luke 2: 17-20)
