Today’s scripture: Luke 2:8-14 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (Tommy Chittenden):
Surely there have been many sermons and scholarly articles written to offer plausible explanation of why the “shepherds in the field, watching their flocks at night” were the first ones to hear about the birth of Jesus. Do we need to be reminded that shepherds were near the bottom of the social order in ancient Israel? They were often poor, uneducated and many of them quite young. They didn’t have a reputation that needed protecting, an ax to grind or a ladder to climb. Not many people would have picked “shepherd” on their Career Preference Forms!
These men didn’t know enough to tell God that angels just don’t sing to sheep-watching shepherds, or that Messiahs aren’t found wrapped in rags sleeping in a feed trough. Yet it was to these on the fringes that His birth was first announced.
In our Discipleship classes each student is encouraged to approach each week’s Bible study by reading the assigned passages and asking, “What might God be saying to me?” The reasoning behind this question can be found in the amazing and simple Truth of today’s passage, specifically verse 11:
“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.”
I’m going to ask you to apply that same question to this verse — right now! Ask, “God, what might you be saying to me in this verse?” Then quiet your mind. Be still. Become aware of any impressions of thoughts or feelings that come to your mind and your heart. Allow yourself the possibility that the Holy Spirit is responding to your question by affirming God’s Truth in your life.
This Truth applied to your life — this moment — is what makes Christmas intensely personal.
Unto you. For you. He came for you, my brother and sister of color. For you, the one reading who has been abused and made to believe you are worthless. For you, whose body has been compromised by sickness and disease. For you, who has been displaced from family, friends, and even the church because you live in integrity with the way you were created. For you, who today might identify with the lowly shepherds watching their flock at night. The angel of the Lord comes, in this moment, and proclaims that the unconditional Love of God comes TO YOU! He is Christ the Lord!
Thought for the day: Joy to the world, the Lord is come — to ME!
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.