Day Six: The Christ Child is unexpectedly typical and surprisingly distinct!
Luke 2:8-20 CEV That night in the fields near Bethlehem some shepherds were guarding their sheep. (9) All at once an angel came down to them from the Lord, and the brightness of the Lord’s glory flashed around them. The shepherds were frightened. (10) But the angel said, “Don’t be afraid! I have good news for you, which will make everyone happy. (11) This very day in King David’s hometown a Savior was born for you. He is Christ the Lord. (12) You will know who he is, because you will find him dressed in baby clothes and lying on a bed of hay.” (13) Suddenly many other angels came down from heaven and joined in praising God. They said: (14) “Praise God in heaven! Peace on earth to everyone who pleases God.” (15) After the angels had left and gone back to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see what the Lord has told us about.” (16) They hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and they saw the baby lying on a bed of hay. (17) When the shepherds saw Jesus, they told his parents what the angel had said about him. (18) Everyone listened and was surprised. (19) But Mary kept thinking about all this and wondering what it meant. (20) As the shepherds returned to their sheep, they were praising God and saying wonderful things about him. Everything they had seen and heard was just as the angel had said.
Let’s pray:
Father in heaven, make us more like the shepherds who went to see Jesus at his birth, glorifying you through our joy in you, and praising you through our words and witness in the world. We don’t want to pretend to be strong and wise and noble. We acknowledge our lowliness and marvel that you sent your Son from the heights of heavens to the lowliest of earthly accommodations to announce and accomplish this good news of great joy. In his name we pray. Amen.
