Life Can Be Different
Do you long for change in some area of life?
Do you ever wish things were different politically?
Dream about having a different job or more agency and influence in your world?
Pray for God do something drastic, to speak clearly, to intervene?
Are you tired, frustrated, longing for rest?
Sometimes I imagine the shepherds wandering the fields, checking their flock, and feeling discouraged or bored or frustrated.
Will anything ever change for me?
Will we ever be free from Roman rule?
Will I ever get away from all these sheep?
Will morning ever come?
And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. Luke 2:8-9 ESV
How many lonely, quiet nights had the shepherds stood watch over the sheep, wishing for change, wanting circumstances to be different, wondering why life had turned out this way?
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:10-11 ESV
The shepherds were no strangers to lambs being born in the middle of the night.
Being interrupted—mid watch or mid sleep—was nothing new.
But a birth announcement by angels (rather than the baaing of sheep)
That was different.
It was amazing!
And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:12 ESV
Shepherds were no strangers to stables, filled with straw, muck and mud.
But a baby boy in a manger, the Son of God,
That was different.
It was almost unbelievable!
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” Luke 2:13-15 ESV
Shepherds were used to being on the outside—out of town, out of touch, out of options.
But being on the inside track,
given a glimpse of God’s glory & kingdom
Being the first to know important news
the Savior has been born,
Being invited in
sent to visit an intimate family circle with a newborn infant (who was the Messiah)
That was different.
It was a gift beyond their imaginings!
In some respects, this night followed familiar patterns—interrupted with a birth, a visit to a shelter for animals, their actions unseen and unknown to most.
And yet it was different in ways the shepherds never imagined a night could be.
They were honored with a host of angels who were sent to announce the greatest news imaginable (Messiah is here!) and apparently, only the shepherds were told. In addition, the angel sent them to find proof of this revelation. How would they know this Savior? He was a baby, and bizarrely, He was born in a barn.
Their response? “Let’s go see!”
Consider:
How are you longing for life to be different?
Remember:
When you see angels this Christmas season, ask God to show you a glimpse of what He is doing in the heavenly realms. Ask God to help you see with spiritual eyes where and how He is working.
Share:
Has God ever interrupted your life in a way that was familiar and yet completely different from what you had experienced before?
How did you respond?
Take a moment to post your comments below.