Luke 2:8-9 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 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.
Greetings!
Where would you like the birth of your child announced? It would probably not be under the bridge to the homeless or somewhere down and out if we had a choice. Instead, we would want it to put in the paper or shouted from the rooftops, but not to the lowest of the world, the shepherds. These are lonely people who spend days outside with smelly, not-so-bright animals. It is night, and the shepherds are resting and reflecting on the day as their animals’ bed down for the night. We need time to reflect also. We have to take time to rest, reflect and restore our lives for the day ahead.
In the stillness and quiet of the night, the shepherds watch sheep; without warning, they are confronted by a heavenly visitor, an angel of the Lord, and surrounded by the glory of the Lord. Needless to say, the shepherds were frightened. What could this heavenly visitor want? Had they displeased God? Did the Lord have some special mission for them? Were they dreaming? None of that, they were sent a heavenly birth announcement, a personal invitation to see the baby Jesus in the manger. If this announcement had come to a king or someone of nobility, there might be some doubt that it was for everyone, but since it came to the blue-collar working group, the shepherds, we know that it was for everyone. So, what was the shepherd’s response, “let us go” and “they went with haste.” When we give people a chance, all people will go and find Jesus.
A field, the working people, the lowly, a perfect place for announcing the birth of the Saviour.
A happy and blessed Christmas to you and your family +
Rev’d Debra Chidakwa Akue