And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. (Luke 2:8, 9)
It was a comfortable, gentle evening
For shepherds at peace with their lives.
The comfort of the familiar,
The routine that held no surprise,
Responsibilities clear,
A night like a thousand before it
SHATTERED!
AN EXPLOSION OF LIGHT!
Routine / interrupted.
Activity halted.
Surroundings changed.
"What is happening?"
"What is required of me?"
. . . And they were sore afraid.
It was an angel! A glorious message from God!
Fear not. The saving Christ is here.
For all people for all time.
The shepherds welcomed the light
(that shocking change that had before frightened them),
were led,
and rejoiced in the newness they found.
Father, may we be as responsive
to the Christmas angels that come to us each day amid
shattered routines,
changed responsibilities,
a future blindingly obscure,
speaking to us the truth:
The Christ is here.
Comforting. Leading. Healing.
Fear not.
