The Shepherds Tell

Scripture             Luke 2:8-20   
Focus Verse        Luke 2:17b
The Shepherds made known what had been told them about this child.

The Shepherds may not have been regarded highly by their neighbors but that didn’t stop them.  They were evangelists!  The word evangelism has a lot of baggage to carry but the word simply means, “to tell the story.”  Although we may be tempted to use a hard-sell tactic to “get” people to convert to Jesus, simply telling THE story and telling our story within THE story is so much more effective.   

Even Mary, who was living the Nativity right then and there as it unfolded, listened to the shepherds tell their story and she “treasured all their words and pondered them in her heart.”  Perhaps she remembered their words in her darkest moments with Jesus in his suffering.

Reflection: What is your story within THE story?  How does the Nativity inspire you to grow deeper in your trust of God?  Who do you need to share your story with?

If music is a spiritual pathway for you, take this link to "Mary, Did You Know" a song that illuminates the unknown future of Mary's son, Jesus. Even though we know, she didn't know when she said, "yes" nor when she gave birth ... listen to the amazing a cappella group, Pentatonix, who come from Arlington, TX. 

Prayer: Breathing “The Jesus Prayer”       
Breathing in … Lord Jesus Christ
Breathing out … Have mercy
*pray by breathing this prayer repetitively until the prayer prays you. You’ll know the prayer is praying you when the words come to you at random times in random places.  You will simply feel the words on your lips, in sync with your breathing.  And you have begun the process of praying unceasingly through the power of the Holy Spirit! For more information about praying The Jesus Prayer, an ancient prayer form from the days of early Christian History, practiced by the Desert Mothers and Fathers, take this LINK ...

The Shepherds Go

Scripture             Luke 2:8-20
Focus Verse        Luke 2:15b
“Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us.”

During the time of this unfolding story, shepherds are in a lower socio-economic class, uneducated, poor, and migratory.  While living with their sheep, they probably didn’t smell that great.  They were not always welcome then they showed up so it is quite possible that the ones who heard the story of the shepherds would have been offended that such lowly born people were the first humans to see the Messiah.

Perhaps when Jesus calls himself the good shepherd, he is identifying with those who saw him first, giving him an affinity for the poor and humble.  After the Heavenly Host disappear into heaven, the shepherds have a meeting.  Their fear has dissipated, and they are ready to go and see the newborn king!

Reflection:  Who are the poor and humble today?   What can we learn from the shepherds? How does their centrality in the Nativity change our perception of the outsiders in our culture?

If music is a spiritual pathway for you, listen to the a capella group, Home Free, sing "Do you Hear what I Hear?"  This is a song with a fascinating story, written in 1962 during the Cuban Missile Crisis as a powerful plea for peace by a man, Noel Regney, who had experienced the horrors of war. 

Prayer: Breathing “The Jesus Prayer”       
Breathing in … Lord Jesus Christ
Breathing out … Have mercy
*pray by breathing this prayer repetitively until the prayer prays you. You’ll know the prayer is praying you when the words come to you at random times in random places.  You will simply feel the words on your lips, in sync with your breathing.  And you have begun the process of praying unceasingly through the power of the Holy Spirit! For more information about praying The Jesus Prayer, an ancient prayer form from the days of early Christian History, practiced by the Desert Mothers and Fathers, take this LINK ...

The Heavenly Host

Scripture             Luke 2:8-20
Focus Verse        Luke 2:14
“Glory to God in the highest heaven,
 and on earth peace among those whom he favors!”

After the angel delivered the message to the shepherds, it was accompanied by a multitude of the “heavenly host” to send them off to find the Messiah.  The heavenly host refers to an army of angels mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments.  

What a beautiful song they sing, this army of angels who dwell in God’s presence!  The main purpose of the Heavenly Host is to continually praise God, but they are also sent by God (as messengers) to assist, strengthen and comfort human beings.  

Reflection:  How are you praising God these days?  In prayers of adoration, we praise God for who God is … what is your prayer of adoration?  In prayers of thanksgiving, we praise God for what God has done in our lives.  What is your prayer of thanksgiving?  Write down your prayers.

If music is a pathway to God for you, you might want to listen and watch Libera sing “Angels we have Heard on High."  Libera is a not for profit boys singing group, based in the South London.  

Prayer: Breathing “The Jesus Prayer”       
Breathing in … Lord Jesus Christ
Breathing out … Have mercy
*pray by breathing this prayer repetitively until the prayer prays you. You’ll know the prayer is praying you when the words come to you at random times in random places.  You will simply feel the words on your lips, in sync with your breathing.  And you have begun the process of praying unceasingly through the power of the Holy Spirit! For more information about praying The Jesus Prayer, an ancient prayer form from the days of early Christian History, practiced by the Desert Mothers and Fathers, take this LINK ...

An Angel of the Lord

Scripture             Luke 2:8-20       
Focus Verse        Luke 2:10
The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people …”

 

When we drop in on the shepherds, they are living their simple, humble lives “keeping watch” over their flock of sheep.  They probably didn’t get a lot of night visitors, so when the angel appeared the them, glowing in the night, of course they were terrified.  Once again, we hear those comforting words, “do not be afraid” and they enter a moment that would change the world forever. 

These humble shepherds are entrusted with a message for ALL of the people, a message that would make them famous!  The angel told them, “born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is the Messiah.”  Then the angel sends them to Bethlehem to seek the newborn baby in a manger.

Reflection:  Where have you been seeking God recently?  How do you celebrate the good news?  How have you found the presence of God in unlikely places and in unlikely people?

If music is a spiritual pathway for you, listen to Andrea Bocelli and Mary J. Blige sing, "What Child is This?" as you envision shepherds and angels rejoicing at the good news of great joy for all people!

Prayer: Breathing “The Jesus Prayer”       
Breathing in … Lord Jesus Christ
Breathing out … Have mercy
*pray by breathing this prayer repetitively until the prayer prays you. You’ll know the prayer is praying you when the words come to you at random times in random places.  You will simply feel the words on your lips, in sync with your breathing.  And you have begun the process of praying unceasingly through the power of the Holy Spirit! For more information about praying The Jesus Prayer, an ancient prayer form from the days of early Christian History, practiced by the Desert Mothers and Fathers, take this LINK ...