Luke 2:15-20 15 When the angels went away from them back into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us.” 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph and saw the baby lying in the manger. 17 When the shepherds saw him, they told them what the angel had said about the child. 18 All who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said. 19 Mary remembered all these things and thought deeply about them. 20 The shepherds went back, singing praises to God for all they had heard and seen; it had been just as the angel had
told them.
Other readings: Isaiah 62:11-12, Psalm 97:1, 6, 11-12; Titus 3:4-7
LECTIO
On Christmas Day we celebrate our Saviour’s birth and remind ourselves of another angelic visitation, this time to shepherds. To get the full story take a look at the first 14 verses of Luke 2. What an amazing encounter this is. The shepherds on that lonely hillside must have been shocked to the core of their being when suddenly an angel appears and speaks to them. He is joined by a great army of other angels from heaven.
These men were on the bottom rung of Jewish society. Shepherds were poorly educated and had little time for religious observance as a wandering life with their flocks kept them from attending the synagogue. But the news that countless Jews through the centuries prayed for and longed to hear – the arrival of the Messiah – is given to them first.
They see not just one angel but a whole army of angels and “the glory of the Lord shone over them”. No wonder they leave their sheep and go to the town in search of this baby. They find the newborn baby in a manger just as the angel said. Bubbling over with joy and excitement, they cannot stop praising God and telling people about what has happened.
How many people believed what the shepherds told them? We don’t know. For Mary and Joseph it must have reminded them of their own angelic encounters nine months earlier.
MEDITATIO
Why do you think God chose to proclaim the news of Jesus’s birth and reveal its significance to such lowly regarded shepherds?
What do you think Mary and Joseph might have felt about these rough shepherds bringing this news from an angel about their newborn son? Was it a shock or perhaps a confirmation of what they already knew?
Mary and Joseph pondered, the shepherds rejoiced, the angels sang and the crowds were amazed. How will you respond today?
How do you tell the wonderful events to those around you when they ask why or how you celebrate Christmas?
ORATIO
Luke tells us that the angels invited everyone to rejoice over the birth of Jesus. Psalm 97 leads the way for us. Verses 1 and 12 are below: “The Lord is King! Earth, be glad!
All you that are righteous be glad Because of what the Lord has done! Remember what the holy God has done, And give thanks to him.’ Use these words to inspire your praise to God and give thanks that you too have heard the wonderful news of Jesus’s birth.”
CONTEMPLATIO
As you celebrate the birth of our Saviour today, reflect on these words from Titus 3:4-7: “But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour was revealed, he saved us. It was not because of any good deeds that we ourselves had done, but because of his own mercy that he saved us, through the Holy Spirit, who gives us new birth and new life by washing us. God poured out the Holy Spirit abundantly on us through Jesus Christ our Saviour, so that by his grace we might be put right with God and come into possession of the eternal life we hope for.”
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